September 21, 2023
No. 312
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Jaushieh Joseph Wu, serving as President Tsai Ing-wen’s special envoy, led a delegation to the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis from September 18 to 20 to participate in celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the federation’s independence and the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. He received a warm reception from the government and people of Saint Christopher and Nevis.
Minister Wu attended the Independence Day celebrations and a reception hosted by the Office of the Governor-General. He called on Governor-General Marcella Liburd and attended an evening reception hosted by Prime Minister Terrance Drew. Minister Wu also presented a congratulatory letter from President Tsai to Governor-General Liburd and another from Premier Chen Chien-jen to Prime Minister Drew, both of which extended warm felicitations from the people and government of Taiwan. He thanked Saint Christopher and Nevis for its long-standing support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and engaged in an extensive exchange of views with Prime Minister Drew and other key political figures on bilateral cooperation and issues of common concern.
During his visit, Minister Wu also held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Denzil Douglas and signed an agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation at a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Drew, setting a major milestone in the countries’ 40-year diplomatic alliance. Based on this accord, the two nations’ foreign ministries will engage in comprehensive exchanges and cooperation on mutual visits of personnel, foreign language and professional training, and policy research and analysis, among other domains. This will enhance mutual trust and understanding, further deepening the friendship between Taiwan and Saint Christopher and Nevis.
In addition, Minister Wu visited the island of Nevis, where he attended a luncheon cohosted by Deputy Governor-General Hyleeta Liburd and Nevis Premier Mark Brantley, who led local officials in welcoming the Taiwan delegation and thanked Taiwan for its many years of support for Saint Christopher and Nevis’s social and economic development. After the luncheon, Premier Brantley accompanied Minister Wu on a tour of the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park, which was built with Taiwan’s assistance; to an event to observe the success of the Mandarin language program on Nevis; and to sample pearl milk tea prepared by a Nevis youth who had learned the skill in Taiwan.
Minister Wu paid a special visit to Taiwan’s tri-service honor guard, which had been invited by Saint Christopher and Nevis to perform there for the second time. He also visited the R.O.C. (Taiwan) embassy and the Taiwan Technical Mission, where he encouraged diplomats and staff, recognizing their efforts and expressing the hope that they will continue to deepen the friendly diplomatic partnership between Taiwan and Saint Christopher and Nevis. (E)