The bonds of friendship between Taiwan and Saint Lucia will continue to deepen in the ensuing years as several programmes and projects aimed at benefiting Saint Lucians continue to be implemented.
That was the underlining sentiment expressed when the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) hosted a gala reception at the Sandals Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate on Wednesday evening, October 4, 2023, ahead of Taiwan’s National Day, which will be observed on October 10.
Invited guests at the formal cocktail event included Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy, and Minister for Justice and National Security, and spouse, Ms. Marie Felix; Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General Emeritus; Hon. Claudius Francis, Speaker of the House of Assembly; Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs; Hon. Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development and Urban Renewal; Hon. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs; Sen. Deale Lee; Sen. Dr. Allison Jean; Sen. Lisa Jawahir; Sen. Kaygianna Toussaint Charlery; among others.
October 10 bears great significance to the people of Taiwan as it commemorates the start of the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911, which ultimately led to the collapse of the imperial Qing dynasty and establishment of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912.
In his remarks, His Excellency Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, used the occasion to highlight the sixteenth anniversary since Saint Lucia and Taiwan resumed diplomatic relations.
“Our countries are solid partners because our peoples share similar values and a similar drive to keeping pushing for progress,” said Ambassador Chen. “2023 is the Year of the Rabbit – believed to symbolize prosperity. Well, I have the pleasure of telling you all that the cooperation between Saint Lucia and Taiwan is more fruitful than ever.”
He added: “Besides our long-time agricultural, infrastructural, educational cooperation and social initiatives, we launched three new projects, including the Community Business Revitalization Project, the Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Digital Capacity Building Project, and the Project for the Prevention and Control of Metabolic Chronic Diseases in St. Lucia. All these projects are focused on enhancing Saint Lucians’ quality of life and capacity building in various sectors.”
Ambassador Chen said human capacity building remains pivotal for a country’s sustainable development, adding that, through coordination with different Government Ministries in Saint Lucia, workshops across all areas were implemented to educate and encourage.
“Inspired by Hon. Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre’s manifesto “Youth Economy”, we have also launched projects with the Youth Economy Agency, hoping to help unleash the incredible power of young people and women,” Ambassador Chen told the audience.
“In addition, Taiwan provided 10 more scholarships to Saint Lucian students in 2023 – the highest increase to date. 39 scholarship recipients have arrived in Taiwan to study. And, to take root downward and bear fruit upward, Taiwan donated 5,000 new Chromebooks to support the One Laptop per Child Program promoted by Hon. Prime Minister. The children are the future, and should be supported with high quality investments.”
Ambassador Chen said Saint Lucia continues to be a treasured partner of Taiwan on the international stage, citing Hon. Minister Alva Baptiste strongly advocated Taiwan’s participation in ICAO and Hon. Minister Moses Jn. Baptiste’s call for Taiwan’s involvement in WHO activities, and that Taiwan be permitted to join the World Health Assembly as an observer. He also referenced Prime Minister Pierre’s call during the UN General Assembly in September, where Hon. Pierre spoke up for Taiwan’s right to democratic freedoms and a place in international forums.
“I look forward to building on all our accomplishments and working with the Government of Saint Lucia to push onwards to even greater heights,” said Ambassador Chen. “If we unite in strength, we can move forward together. I wish a heartfelt Happy Birthday to the Republic of China (Taiwan). And I wish all the best for the eternal friendship and partnership between St. Lucia and Taiwan.”
Prime Minister Pierre congratulated the Government and people of Taiwan on their 112th anniversary. He said Saint Lucia’s friendship with Taiwan is based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the countries.
“Saint Lucia, as a country, reserves the right to be friends with whom we want,” Hon. Pierre said. “In fact, we’re friends of all, and, as Errol Barrow said, ‘friends of all, and satellites of none’. So our country is proud of its friendship with Taiwan. Our country will continue to respectfully engage with respect with the people of Taiwan.”
Hon. Pierre also thanks the Government of Taiwan for extending their generosity to Saint Lucia in many ways over the years: “The focus of our Government is putting people first, and it is a philosophy that we are proud of. We are proud in saying that the Government’s policies must be based on improving the quality of life of the people of the country. The projects that are being done, the projects that are being promoted by Taiwan, are aimed at the people, aimed at improving the quality of people’s lives.”
The Prime Minister also referenced the Constituency Development Programme (CDP), for which the Taiwanese Government provides funds that are used to undertake projects that seek to improve the lives of Saint Lucians in all seventeen constituencies. He also said the Youth Economy, which is also sponsored by the Taiwanese Government, has had meaningful effect on the lives of young people.
“We’re very happy with what the Taiwanese are doing for our Youth Economy,” said Hon. Pierre.
He added: “We want to continue this because we want young people to feel that their talents and skills can make them marketable and create some employment for them. That is the essence of the Youth Economy.”
Among the highlights of the evening were the cutting of the large cake emblematic of the Taiwanese flag by the distinguished guests, live performances by local musicians such as talented violinist Michael Fletcher, the four-time Calypso Monarch Papa Vader and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, and sampling of cuisine from Saint Lucia and Taiwan, including Taiwanese egg pancake, fried seafood, shaved ice, bubble tea, etc.