President Lai Ching-te offered his congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan Oct. 21 to Sanae Takaichi, who was elected Japan’s 104th prime minister at a National Diet session held earlier that day.
According to the Presidential Office, Lai wished the new government led by Takaichi success and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will continue to enhance their friendship while working together to advance the well-being of the people on both sides.
Taiwan and Japan engage in close cooperation, and the two nations’ people have long extended mutual support, the PO said, citing reciprocal assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic and Japanese volunteers who helped clean up debris following the Fata’an Creek barrier lake disaster in Hualien County, as well as a submersible water-level observation buoy provided by Japan to provide early warning of further flooding.
Takaichi, who is also president of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, is a staunch friend of Taiwan, the PO said. The two countries are steadfast partners who share common values, the PO noted, adding that the office looks forward to further expanding exchanges and strengthening regional partnerships in areas spanning economy and trade, disaster prevention, security guarantees and technology.
The PO expressed gratitude to former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for firmly supporting Taiwan and opposing any attempts to unilaterally change the Taiwan Strait status quo by force or coercion in bilateral and multilateral joint statements. His backing of cross-strait peace and stability and Taiwan’s participation in international affairs are deeply appreciated, it said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides’ collaboration, conducted through values-based diplomacy, alliance-based diplomacy and economic diplomacy, continues to yield fruitful results. Taiwan looks forward to advancing cooperation with Takaichi’s government to promote a mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership while jointly contributing to Indo-Pacific peace, stability and prosperity, the ministry said. (YCH-E)
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