Good Morning World: G7 Summit Statement Opposes Changing Status Quo in Taiwan Strait, Trump Hints at Restoring Russia Oil Sanctions

The Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Évian, France, released a leaders' statement on the 17th, addressing the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region. The statement explicitly opposes any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea through force or coercion, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. The Ukraine issue was once again prioritized on the summit agenda, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attending to discuss arms requirements. Trump stated that as the Middle East situation stabilizes and oil shipping resumes, the U.S. will soon reinstate sanctions on Russian oil. In response to the G7 joint statement, Taiwan's Presidential Office expressed gratitude for G7’s concrete support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, affirming Taiwan’s continued cooperation with like-minded democratic partners to strengthen defense, supply chains, and economic resilience in pursuit of regional peace and prosperity. (Read full report)

Amid ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear deal negotiations, multiple ship-tracking websites showed that at least two oil tankers successfully passed through the U.S. naval blockade and left Iran on the 16th, marking the first crude oil export in two months. Reuters also revealed that since May, the U.S. military has secretly monitored over 100 vessels conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers—using the same methods Iran previously employed to evade sanctions—maintaining energy flow in the Persian Gulf. However, restoring Hormuz Strait shipping volumes to pre-war levels still faces obstacles such as mines, attack risks, and infrastructure reconstruction. Analysts estimate it could take months to years. CPC Corporation, Taiwan, stated that if the strait is confirmed open, it will procure diversified crude oil from the Persian Gulf in July and August, while Qatari LNG is expected to arrive in Taiwan starting early September. (Read full report)

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) revised Taiwan’s 2024 economic growth forecast upward to 9.64% at the end of May, the highest in 16 years. National Development Council (NDC) Minister Yeh Ju-hsien indicated on the 17th that, driven by strong AI demand and two other factors, this year’s growth rate could exceed 10%, with a more balanced growth pattern compared to last year. The Cathay-NTU research team also raised their forecast from 5.8% to 10.1%, citing sustained upward revisions in AI infrastructure capital expenditure, record-high stock markets, and tourism recovery. They predict the Central Bank of Taiwan will hold interest rates steady at its June 18 board meeting. (Read full report)

Taitung County Magistrate Rao Qing-ling participated in China’s Cross-Strait Forum via a pre-recorded video to promote agricultural products. Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng stated on the 17th that the forum is a Chinese Communist Party united front platform. The government has repeatedly clarified that central and local public officials are prohibited from attending in any form, and the Ministry of the Interior will investigate according to the Cross-Strait Relations Act. The Ministry of the Interior said it will conduct administrative investigations based on MAC’s letter and relevant administrative procedures. Rao responded, “This is what I should do,” maintaining her stance. The DPP caucus warned that China often uses promises to purchase agricultural and fishery products as a united front lure, only to withdraw them when political conditions change, ultimately harming farmers and fishermen. (Read full report)

With the Dragon Boat Festival holiday approaching, the Central Weather Administration forecasts localized heavy afternoon rains in central and northern Taiwan on the 18th. From the 19th, the Pacific high-pressure system will strengthen, bringing clear and hot weather nationwide. The period from the 20th to the 22nd will be the hottest of the week, with temperatures exceeding 36°C in Greater Taipei, central and southern Taiwan, and Hualien-Taitung. Outdoor activities require strict heatstroke prevention. Traffic-wise, the Freeway Bureau estimates holiday traffic volume will be 1.3 times normal. On the 20th, northbound congestion on National Highway No. 5 is expected to begin at 1 PM and last into the night. Taoyuan International Airport anticipates an average of 143,000 daily passengers, a holiday record high. Travelers are advised to arrive three hours early and use self-check-in systems. (Read full report)

Lu Chi-hsien, a tug-of-war coach accused of being a Chinese spy, was found by Taipei prosecutors to have recruited individuals including a China Airlines dispatcher, leaking former President Tsai Ing-wen’s overseas trip schedules. On the 17th, Taipei District Court sentenced Lu to a total of 12 years and 8 months in prison. Co-defendants Lin Chu-han, Air Force Sergeant Chen Min-chi, and China Airlines dispatcher Ko Tsang-hao were also convicted of violating national security laws and corruption charges. All may appeal. (Read full report)

The Narcotics Control Review Committee approved on the 17th elevating etomidate and eight other substances from Category II to Category I controlled drugs, with manufacturing, transporting, or selling punishable by death. Additionally, two precursor chemicals used to synthesize etomidate were classified as Category IV precursor substances to strengthen control. The Ministry of Justice stated it will accelerate legislative procedures for submission to the Executive Yuan for announcement. (Read full report)

The 7th Tang Prize in Sinology was awarded solely to Professor Ge Zhaoguang of Fudan University, China. He is the first mainland Chinese scholar to win the prize and the only recipient without a Ph.D. The 76-year-old Ge is renowned for his 'What Is China?' series. Early in his career, he studied ancient Chinese intellectual history using folk materials, reshaping scholarly perspectives. Recently, he has focused on re-examining the relationship between 'historical China' and 'contemporary China,' using neighboring countries’ documents to reinterpret China, leading new academic trends. He hopes the Tang Prize will elevate Chinese studies to international standards and foster dialogue with Indology and Japanese studies. (Read full report)

On June 16, Group I and H World Cup qualifiers saw France defeat Senegal 3-1, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice. Norway’s Erling Haaland scored two goals to lead his team to a 4-1 win over Iraq, continuing his hot streak. Nearly 39-year-old Argentine star Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria, achieving his first World Cup treble and tying Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals—exactly 20 years after his World Cup debut. Austria returned to the World Cup after 28 years, defeating Jordan 3-1 in their opening match. Total attendance has surpassed one million, with high scoring rates igniting fierce competition. (Read full report)

A Tao tribe plank canoe from Lanyu braved a 300-year-old maritime route against strong winds, suffering severe water ingress and briefly towed by a Philippine vessel, finally arriving safely in Batanes, Philippines, on the evening of the 16th. Over 300 Batanes residents gathered at the shore to warmly welcome the 'Lanyu relatives,' creating a vibrant and emotional exchange. A banquet was held to celebrate their return. Maraos, chairman of the Indigenous Cultural Development Foundation, said the 'Golden Friendship' canoe will remain in Batanes for six months before Batanes sailors autonomously return it to Lanyu next year for continued exchanges. (Read full report)

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