Taiwan Today

As the first chief of state from an African nation to visit free China, President Philibert Tsiranana of the Malagasy Republic was warmly welcomed by the Chinese nation April 3. When President and Madame Tsiranana stepped out of the special plane sent to bring them from Hongkong, President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek were on hand to greet them. Also at the airport were government dignitaries and a group of overseas Chinese students from Madagascar.

President Tsiranana and President Chiang are walking past the flags of the two nations as the honor guard presents arms.

En route to the Grand Hotel, President Tsiranana's headquarters, thousands of citizens lined the streets to cheer China's distinguished visitor (top).

Prior to a state banquet given by China's chief of state, President Chiang decorated President Tsiranana with the Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Jade and Madame Tsiranana with the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Brilliant Star. The Malagasy President then conferred the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Malagasy Republic on President and Madame Chiang.

The two chiefs of state and the first ladies smilingly exchanged toasts afterward (bottom).

An ardent miniature camera fan, President Tsiranana took pictures of anybody and everybody and will have his own, self-composed history of the Taiwan trip. Such picture-taking extended even to formal occasions - to the obvious pleasure of Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan, who sometimes was the target of the President's lens (top).

Madame Tsiranana also had her moments of relaxation. On a visit to the orphanage sponsored by the Chinese Women's Anti-Aggression League, the first lady of Malagasy enjoyed an entertainment sponsored by the colorfully attired girls. She had her picture taken with some of the young performers as Madame Chen Cheng (right), wife of the Vice President of China, smiled approval (bottom).
 

Part of the pleasure for the Tsirananas was the excitement and pleasures of culture different from their own. Madame Tsiranana enjoyed a Chinese meal in the Chinese style. She demonstrated her newly acquired skill with chopsticks for Madame Chen Cheng (top).

The afternoon of April 4, President Tsiranana and President Chiang looked on during signing of the Sino-Malagasy Treaty of Friendship. Foreign Minister Shen Chang-huan signed for the Republic of China (right center, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Malagasy Republic M. Albert Sylla (left center) represented his country.

The First Couple of Malagasy witnessed a special performance of Chinese opera and posed with elaborately gowned actresses (bottom).
 

On the morning of April 5, the distinguished visitors new south for a three-day inspection of Chinese armed forces installations and activities.

The Thundertigers, aerobatic team of nine F-86 Sabrejets, demonstrated their breathtaking skill over the Air Force base at Kangshan.

In Tsoying, President Tsiranana reviewed 80 ships of the Chinese fleet (center).

In the afternoon, the visitors saw an aluminum factory. President and Madame Tsiranana were as impressed with the industrial scene as the workers were with the President's warmth (bottom).
 

On their way back north, Malagasy's first couple stopped off at Changhua to see the giant statue of Buddha, tallest in this part of the world. The figure has become a major tourist attraction and a symbol of China's unrestricted freedom of religion (top).

In Kaohsiung, Taichung and Taipei, President and Madame Tsiranona strolled along the streets and visited many department stores. Impressed by the abundance of goods and the high quality, they selected many small items to take home (bottom).
 

The day before departure, President and Madame Tsiranana gave a state dinner in honor of President and Madame Chiang. Chatting with Madame Tsiranana is Vice President and Premier Chen Cheng (extreme left).

President Tsiranana gave a farewell press conference the morning of April 8. He expressed his thanks for China's hospitality and said he was confident of continued Sino-Malagasy friendship. To the right of the President is James Shen, director of the Government Information Office.
 

President and Madame Chiang were at the airport to wish President and Madame Tsiranana a safe and comfortable night home. Many of the visitors' new-found friends were also present. Among them were 31 students from Madagascar pursuing their studies in the land of their ancestors.

President and Madame Tsiranana shook hands with the students as President and Madame Chiang smilingly watched.

Madame Tsiranana, enchanted with Chinese dress, wore a blue silk, bead-embroidered chipao on the last day of her visit.

As President Tsiranana departed, Chinese spoke of deepened friendship for the people of the Malagasy Republic and other newly independent African states.