PRESS RELEASE – THE Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) hosted the 107th National Day Reception in the evening on Thursday, 4 October 2018 at Sandals Grande Resort.
Counselor Bill Shih-chang Huang, Chargé d’affaires (a.i.) presided over the ceremony on behalf of Ambassador Douglas C.T. Shen, who travelled with Hon. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and his delegation to Taiwan.
Counsellor Huang commenced his remarks by expressing deepest care and concern to farmers in Saint Lucia suffering from the ravages of Tropical Storm Kirk and said Taiwan’s Embassy and Technical Mission in Saint Lucia are working with Minister for Agriculture Ezechiel Joseph and the Ministry of Agriculture to rebuild the banana industry and help the farmers regain their feet.
Mr Huang emphasised that Saint Lucia and Taiwan are not only diplomatic allies but also kindred spirits sharing common values and mutual interests. He traced the history and pointed out that former Prime Minister Sir John Compton established diplomatic relations with Taiwan back in 1984 out of respect for Taiwan’s political reform and economic miracle, and Sir John’s vision of Taiwan as a trustworthy partner and a perfect model for national development has been applauded even to this day by many Saint Lucians and other people in the Caribbean.
Counsellor Huang delineated the cooperation between Saint Lucia and Taiwan in the areas of agriculture, education, medical care, information technology, infrastructure and human capacity building since both countries resumed diplomatic relations in 2007. He congratulated the Saint Lucia Government and people for the impending projects to redevelop the Hewanorra International Airport, to improve the national road system, and to upgrade schools and housing, all to be funded with soft loans from Taiwan’s EXIM Bank. He pledged Taiwan and Saint Lucia will work together to make sure that that all those projects are of, by and for the people of Saint Lucia.
Mr Huang thanked Hon. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet for recognising Taiwan’s contributions to Saint Lucia and for supporting Taiwan’s international aspirations at this year’s UN General Assembly. He said as a responsible and responsive member of the international community, Taiwan is entitled to its rightful place in the world, and its rights to engage in world affairs. And despite China’s bully and coercion, Taiwan will not bow down to pressure, nor will the Taiwanese people be intimated into forsaking liberty, democracy, or their international obligations, gaining having a say in the UN, UNFCCC, WHO, ICAO, Interpol and other international organisations and mechanisms.
Hon. Acting Prime Minister Lenard Montoute emphasized that there is no greater example than Taiwan for the current administration’s vision of “building a resilient Saint Lucia.” He hailed Taiwan’s unshakable belief in the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, shared by Saint Lucia, as the ties that bind the two countries.
Acting Prime Minister Montoute then touted Taiwan as a major contributor to the human resource and infrastructural development of Saint Lucia, touching the lives and hearts of so many Saint Lucians through projects big and small and the transfer of knowledge and expertise.
Minister Montotute expressed Saint Lucia government’s pledge to deepen its bond with Taiwan by having a deeper level of exchange between the two countries in the areas of tourism, trade and investment and the innovation-driven economy. He concluded by reiterating Saint Lucia’s support for Taiwan to contribute more meaningfully towards addressing challenges affecting the world. He cited Prime Minister’s recent address in the United Nations: “We must be willing to challenge discrimination and exclusion if we endeavor to create an equal and just world for all. Every country has a role to play in this global environment.”
After the remarks, Acting Prime Minister Montoute, President of the Senate Giraudy-McIntyre and Counsellor Huang cut a cake together to celebrate the 107th National Day of Republic of China (Taiwan). The evening was followed by traditional Taiwanese folk dance Prince Nezha (The Third Prince), and music renditions by the renowned Jazz musician Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and the Saint Lucia Police Band.