Taiwan has condemned China’s propaganda of falsehood regarding its island nation’s sovereignty.

“A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made false and outrageous statements at a regular press conference on March 17, such as claiming that ‘Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future’,” Taiwan said in a statement by its foreign ministry. “Such tired rhetoric, which deviates from the truth, distorts the facts and contravenes the will of Taiwan’s 23.5 million people, is not worthy of further discussion.”

The statement noted that Taiwan “is undeniably a sovereign and independent country,” reiterating that “China has no right to interfere with a sovereign nation exercising its legitimate rights.”

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s submission to be recognized as Classical Swine Fever-free has been accepted by the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Ministry of Agriculture said on March 19.

The ministry added that this positive development represents global recognition of government measures to eradicate major animal-borne diseases and bodes well for efforts to promote the country’s pork exports.

According to the MOA, CSF is a highly contagious and deadly disease that threatens the pig farming industry.

The ministry said that a raft of control measures, including vaccination, monitoring, reporting and biosecurity enhancement, have been implemented since Taiwan eradicated its last case in 2005, adding that CSF vaccines have not been administered since July 2023.

At the same time, the government has stepped up border control measures, such as stricter inspections of airport luggage and international posts, stronger crackdowns on smuggling and expanded public awareness campaigns.

Through these efforts, Taiwan’s application to be recognized as CSF-free was accepted by the WOAH Scientific Commission on February 20. 

The case is expected to be formally approved during the WOAH’s General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates this May, making Taiwan the only country in Asia to be declared free of African Swine Fever, foot-and-mouth disease and CSF.

The MOA expects the recognition to open new opportunities to export local pork and help exporters negotiate more favourable trade terms, resulting in a great boost for Taiwan’s pork industry.

The ministry added that the government will continue to enforce strict border controls and work closely with farmers to preserve its CSF-free status.