June 24: President Lai Ching-te delivered remarks responding to legislative reform legislation. He will submit the amendments passed by the Legislative Yuan to the Constitutional Court for judicial review and temporary measures. On the legislative document, President Lai noted concerns about the review process and that he will not deliver his state report in the Legislative Yuan until the judicial review is complete. Chairman Eric Chu of the Kuomintang (KMT) expressed deep regret and accused President Lai of waging war against democracy.
June 25: The local coronavirus (COVID-19) situation remains serious, with a 30 percent increase in new cases compared to the previous week. Major hospitals are overwhelmed in their emergency departments. National Taiwan University Hospital has reinstated pandemic-era infection control measures. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) predicts that the number of confirmed cases will exceed 100,000 in July, but there are currently no plans to reinstate mask mandates or elevate the alert level to Level 3.
June 25: The Peace and Security Center of the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science Foundation released the 2024 Defense Assessment Report. It highlights three new trends in Taiwan's military, including organizational expansion, increased personnel, and higher budgets, reversing the trend of continuous downsizing over the past two decades. However, the government has not provided a convincing public discourse on these changes. Former President Tsai Ing-wen's second term saw the highest degree of foreign influence in Taiwan's defense decision-making channels, making it a historical burden for the incumbent Lai administration.
June 25: The Ministry of Environment published the latest national greenhouse gas emissions inventory. While net greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, carbon emissions from the energy sector remain higher than the 2005 baseline year. Transportation sector emissions have also increased compared to last year. The administration explains that energy and transportation emissions are closely tied to economic growth, and further reviews will focus on energy intensity.
June 26: The Han Kuang military exercises have undergone significant changes. During interpellation at the Legislative Yuan, Chief of the General Staff Major General Mei Chia-shu stated that the exercises this year are concluded without prior rehearsals or scripts. The joint operational plans have also been adjusted. As a result, the exercises on Taiwan's main island will not involve live ammunition, focusing instead on familiarizing various units with joint operational plans.
June 27: The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced that the travel advisory for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau has been adjusted to an orange alert, representing "non-essential travel." According to the MAC, Taiwanese citizens should avoid unnecessary travel to these regions.
According to travel businesses, while group tours to the mainland are currently prohibited, the orange alert may still impact willingness to travel after the ban is lifted. Additionally, Beijing will perceive the gesture as discriminatory, making it challenging for cross-strait travel to resume this year.
June 27: Wang Jin-pyng, former speaker of the Legislative Yuan, and representatives from 24 temples visited mainland China to attend the unveiling of the Mazu cultural and creative exhibition at the Huiju Temple in Kunshan. Director Lian Yueqin of Jiangsu Province's Taiwan Affairs Office was also present. Wang, a heavyweight figure in the KMT, attracted attention during his visit. He characterized the trip as a religious pilgrimage, and the rest of his itinerary remains undisclosed. There are rumors that he may meet with Director Song Tao of the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office.
June 28: Mainland China obtained a new visa-free privilege: Laos announced a 15-day visa-free policy for China, effective from July to the end of this year. Notably, this policy includes the regions of Hong Kong, Macau, and "Taiwan."
