Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says that Taiwan stands ready to assist its citizens abroad and its diplomatic allies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Wu told the Legislature’s foreign affairs committee Monday that the foreign ministry has already helped a number of Taiwanese tourists stranded abroad return home safely. He said that some tourists remain stranded because of difficulties arranging transportation back to Taiwan. However, he said that the foreign ministry is continuing to provide them with assistance.
Wu also told committee members that Taiwan’s representative offices abroad have set up channels of communication with Taiwanese citizens who have chosen to remain overseas during the outbreak. These include Taiwanese students at foreign universities who have decided to stay where they are. Wu said these representative offices are ready to provide assistance to citizens at any time if it becomes necessary.
Meanwhile, Wu said that Taiwan will help its allies affected by the outbreak. He said that some allies have asked for surgical masks and other medical supplies as well as help building temporary hospitals. He said that Taiwan will assist allies who request aid in ways that are appropriate to local circumstances. He also stressed that any surgical masks Taiwan provides will come from local stocks, and not Taiwan’s own supply.