On September 15, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung confirmed in an exclusive interview that Taiwan is preparing to establish an additional office in Cebu, Philippines, and that the preparatory work is progressing smoothly. He stated that Taiwan and the Philippines are both located in the first island chain and are both oppressed by China; the new office will serve more people, promote a Taiwan-Philippines economic corridor, and deepen economic, trade, and personnel exchanges between the two sides.