February 8, 2018
No. 017
President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Lai Ching-te have instructed all government agencies to leverage public and private resources and fully devote themselves to rescue efforts following the strong earthquake that occurred in Hualien County in eastern Taiwan at 23:50 on February 6, causing significant damage.
On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the international community for showing concern and sympathy following the earthquake.
As of 19:00 on February 8, governments, political figures, and friends from all sectors of 40 countries, as well as the Central American Integration System, Central American Parliament, and European Union, have conveyed concern and expressed willingness to provide relief supplies or send rescue teams to Taiwan. The 40 countries include Australia, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, the Holy See, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovakia, Swaziland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
In addition, the Japanese government immediately dispatched a team of seven experts, which arrived in Taiwan at noon on February 8 and brought two high-end life detectors. Their assistance in the rescue efforts demonstrates Japan’s deep concern for the Taiwanese people and the strong friendship between the governments and peoples of the two nations.
MOFA has added banners to its websites that lead to a special page dedicated to news on the earthquake. The page also contains information on an earthquake donation account in five languages—Chinese, Japanese, English, French, and Spanish. (E)