THERE’S a new Taiwanese Ambassador in town, and just in time to preside over his country’s National Day activities and the annual Taiwan-St Lucia exposition.
In fact, it is a great time for St Lucia-Taiwan relations with our first Ambassador to Taipei just appointed as well in the person of Mr. Hubert Emmanuel, former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs..
Ambassador Ray H. W. Mou hosted his first official function Tuesday, a reception at the Sandals Grande to celebrate Taiwan’s 104th. National Day.
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning and Social Security, Dr.Kenny Anthony, welcomed the new ambassador to St Lucia when he formally received Mou last Saturday, ahead of a cheque presentation ceremony for the Constituency Development Programme.
“Your Excellency, we are pleased to welcome you to the Helen of the West, simply beautiful Saint Lucia,” Dr. Anthony said. “We welcome you to our island home with open hearts and minds. We invite you to discover our island, its uniqueness, its delights, sheer beauty, and magnificent scenery. In time, I know you will discover who we are: a unique people, with a fascinating history, heritage and culture.
“I am also pleased that you have wasted no moment in taking up right where your predecessor, former Ambassador Chang, left. Ambassador Chang earned our respect, admiration and affection. He handled our affairs with honour, dignity and character. So, you do have very big shoes to fill. Your presence here today at this cheque presentation is a welcome start to your duties, on this, your second day at work in Saint Lucia.”
Among the initiatives discussed between Dr. Anthony and Ambassador Mou were the Constituency Development Programme, plans for the new National Cultural Centre complex, and Saint Lucia’s imminent appointment of an ambassador to Taiwan.
Ambassador Mou previously worked in the Taiwan Trade and Cultural Office in Miami. He succeeds James Chang, who has now been posted to Malaysia after serving in Saint Lucia for three and a half years.