June 4, 2025
No.193
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a dinner on June 3 to mark a state visit by President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Minister Lin conveyed a warm welcome on behalf of the government of Taiwan and thanked the Marshall Islands for firmly backing Taiwan’s international participation. He said that Taiwan hoped to build upon the solid foundation of cooperation with the Marshall Islands to continue to advance the bilateral partnership and advance development in all areas.
In his remarks, Minister Lin stated that in the 27 years since diplomatic relations were established, Taiwan and the Marshall Islands had seen fruitful results from cooperation in many areas, which demonstrated that ties were close and friendly. During President Heine’s state visit, the two sides had signed the Letter of Intent on Sports Exchange and Cooperation, the Memorandum of Understanding on the ROC (Taiwan)-RMI Presidents’ Scholarship, and an agreement on enhancing cooperation in air travel as ways of strengthening the bilateral partnership. Minister Lin further emphasized that since taking office, he had overseen implementation of the integrated diplomacy policy, the three pillars of which were values-based diplomacy, alliance diplomacy, and economic and trade diplomacy. He had also promoted the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, under which Taiwan would continue to assist the Marshall Islands in realizing sustainable economic development based on the Taiwan model.
In her remarks, President Heine said that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands had cooperated closely in such key sectors as medical care, education, agriculture, and climate change adaptation. This, she declared, had profoundly enhanced the welfare of the people of the Marshall Islands and contributed to national development. She further recognized that her state visit served as a milestone in improving bilateral relations. She particularly thanked Taiwan for providing scholarships, which had helped the Marshall Islands nurture professional talent and train medical personnel and which had greatly benefited the Marshallese people and boosted momentum for the nation’s economic development. President Heine reiterated that diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands were grounded in shared democratic values. As Taiwan’s steadfast friend and ally, the Marshall Islands would, she pledged, continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and work with Taiwan to facilitate peace, prosperity, and development in both nations.
Among other attendees at the dinner were Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi; International Cooperation and Development Fund Secretary General Huang Yu-lin; Sports Administration Deputy Director-General Fang Jui-wen; Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Lin Ding-rong; and Shuang-Ho Hospital Vice Superintendent Chan Lung. At the conclusion of the banquet, members of the Marshallese delegation sang traditional folk songs, demonstrating their Austronesian cultural heritage. Minister Lin and the Taiwanese attendees also joined in. The atmosphere of the event was warm and cordial. (E)