January 23, 2024
No. 038
The Republic of the Marshall Islands, a diplomatic ally of the Republic of China (Taiwan), held the inauguration ceremony for newly elected President Hilda Heine and her cabinet ministers at the nation’s parliament building on the morning of January 22. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang, acting as President Tsai Ing-wen’s special envoy, led a delegation to the event and extended felicitations to President Heine and the new government of the Marshall Islands on behalf of the people and government of Taiwan.
During the ceremony, messages of congratulations from the leaders of other countries were read out, beginning with Taiwan and followed sequentially by Palau, Micronesia, Japan, and the United States. President Tsai’s message was met with a warm round of applause.
After the ceremony, Deputy Minister Tien met with President Heine, presenting his letter of designation as special envoy and a congratulatory message personally signed by President Tsai. Deputy Minister Tien said that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands had both recently completed successful elections and were diplomatic partners that shared the values of freedom and democracy. He thanked the Marshall Islands for its long-standing endorsement of Taiwan’s international participation during global events, adding that Taiwan would continue to develop and deepen bilateral cooperation.
President Heine reaffirmed the enduring partnership the two countries had shared since establishing diplomatic relations 26 years ago. She expressed appreciation for Taiwan’s long-term support and assistance in promoting cooperative projects that had served the Marshallese people’s well-being, including those focusing on agriculture, medicine and healthcare, basic infrastructure, and women’s empowerment. She also thanked Taiwan for working jointly with the Marshall Islands in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, which she said had fully demonstrated that Taiwan could help as a force for good. President Heine also reflected on the Austronesian cultural heritage and fraternal ties shared by the two countries, reiterating that the new government of the Marshall Islands cherished and remained firmly committed to this close friendship.
Furthermore, President Heine congratulated Taiwan on holding another round of successful democratic elections and commended it for setting a worldwide example. In addition to conveying greetings to President Tsai, she extended felicitations to President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Tien extended greetings from President Tsai to the many leaders of Pacific island countries and delegations of like-minded nations that attended the inauguration ceremony.
During his visit to the Marshall Islands, Deputy Minister Tien held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko. He also exchanged views on regional development and issues of shared interest during meetings with key political figures, including Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Anthony Muller, Minister in Assistance to the President and Environment Bremity Lakjohn, and Minister of Justice, Immigration and Labor Wisely Zackhras. On multiple occasions, Marshallese officials expressed profound regret at Nauru’s decision to terminate diplomatic relations with Taiwan and emphasized that the Marshall Islands would always stand by Taiwan to jointly deter totalitarian expansion and safeguard peace and democracy in the Indo-Pacific.
On the afternoon of January 22, Minister Tien attended a ceremony for Taiwan’s donation of 60 tons of rice to the Marshall Islands, joining Minister of Culture and Internal Affairs Jess Gasper Jr. and local atoll mayors in witnessing the achievements of bilateral food security cooperation. (E)