1.Taiwan, Japan to hold maritime talks in Taipei next week

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Maritime Affairs Cooperation Dialogue is slated to be held in Taipei on Aug. 26. The talks will touch upon a range of issues concerning Taiwan and Japan, in particular cooperation on maritime safety, science, energy development, fishery and environmental protection, MOFA said.

2. Taiwan seeks recognition as classical swine fever-free country: Ministry

Taiwan has applied for recognition as a classical swine fever (CSF)-free country after halting pig vaccinations against the disease for a year, according to a government press release on Saturday. Taiwan applied to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture said, adding that Taiwan has been free of CSF for a year as of July 1, 2024, following the cessation of vaccinations. If Taiwan successfully gains the recognition in May 2025, it would be the only Asian country recognized as free of CSF, the ministry said. Taiwan is also the only Asian country free of African swine fever and foot-and-mount disease, it noted.