Ambassador Miguel Li-jey Tsao
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
December 13, 2020
(As Prepared for Delivery )
Good evening!
I am honored to represent the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) tonight at this gala dinner celebrating the National Day of Saint Lucia. On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, European explorers discovered two Edens, Taiwan and Saint Lucia. The Portuguese named Taiwan Ilha Formosa, which means beautiful island. The French named Saint Lucia after Saint Lucy—a beautiful, strong, and compassionate woman. The beauty of Saint Lucia lives on, and this year marks the 12th time the country has been named the World's Leading Honeymoon Destination by World Travel Awards. Taiwan congratulates our diplomatic ally on this great honor.
As COVID-19 continues to ravage the globe, Taiwan believes that health and human wellbeing transcend borders. Therefore, Taiwan has been helping our diplomatic allies and partners worldwide fight the pandemic. This support has included donations of more than 300,000 face masks, thousands of rapid test kits, and other antipandemic supplies to Saint Lucia. And Ambassador Laurent, in addition to facilitating intergovernmental cooperation, has helped coordinate the generous donations of antipandemic supplies from Taiwan's civil society. Allow me to thank Ambassador Laurent for his tireless efforts in this and also in promoting bilateral economic cooperation and investment.
I would like to take this opportunity to express gratitude for Saint Lucia's staunch support of Taiwan in the international arena in recent years. At the United Nations General Assembly in September and at the Special Session of the General Assembly this month, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet voiced strong support for Taiwan's 24 million people, arguing that they should not be excluded from the UN system. And at the World Health Assembly this year, Saint Lucia reminded World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to stay true to his own assertion that “no one is safe until everyone is safe.” Saint Lucia's support for Taiwan underscores the strength of our friendship and diplomatic ties.
But Taiwan and Saint Lucia are not merely diplomatic allies. We are partners who share the same values and the same commitment to sustainable development. In the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, Taiwan will continue to stand alongside Saint Lucia to meet any challenges that come our way. Together, we will create a prosperous future.
In closing, I wish Saint Lucia and its people continued success and prosperity. May our two nations enjoy an enduring diplomatic alliance, and wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance. Thank you!