November 9, 2023
No.382
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang is leading a delegation to the Cook Islands from November 6 to 13 to attend events concurrent with the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum. On November 7, he held bilateral meetings with the leaders of three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies—namely Nauruan President David Adeang, Palauan President Surangel Whipps, Jr., and Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano. On behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Deputy Minister Tien conveyed his high regard and thanked the allies for long speaking up for Taiwan in the international arena. The three leaders were satisfied with their nations’ bilateral cooperation projects with Taiwan and expressed their appreciation. After the meetings, Deputy Minister Tien hosted a banquet in honor of the delegations from Taiwan’s four diplomatic allies in the Pacific.
Deputy Minister Tien delivered a speech at the banquet, once again thanking Taiwan’s allies for their long-standing and staunch support of Taiwan’s bids to participate in international organizations and fora, including the United Nations, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the World Health Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. He said that as a Pacific island nation, Taiwan shared the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights with its Pacific allies. He added that Taiwan would keep working with its diplomatic allies to promote cooperation projects in domains such as talent cultivation, medical care, public health, digital communications, and sea and air transportation, in addition to continuing to collaborate with like-minded countries to enhance the climate change adaptability and responsiveness of Taiwan’s allies.
Deputy Minister Tien will hold bilateral talks with Marshall Islands President David Kabua on November 10. During his trip, he will also meet with delegations from like-minded countries—including the United States, Australia, and members of the European Union—to promote multilateral cooperation and exchanges, as well as to share views on regional developments and other issues. (E)