ROC Premier Jiang Yi-huah returned June 4 to Taiwan from a successful visit to diplomatic ally El Salvador for the swearing-in of new President Salvador Sanchez Ceren and Vice President Oscar Ortiz. During his trip to the Latin American country, Jiang served as President Ma Ying-jeou’s envoy and represented the nation with dignity and honor.
The visit, which involved stopovers in Los Angeles on the outbound and inbound legs, saw the premier lead a delegation including Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Chen Shy-kwei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-yeaw Ko and Ambassador to El Salvador Lee Sing-ying. Members of the group held discussions with their Salvadoran counterparts and took part in activities aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
Touching down May 31 in the capital San Salvador, Jiang wasted no time in getting down to business. He met with outgoing first lady Vanda Pignato at the presidential residence and discussed the results of joint ROC-El Salvador efforts to advance social welfare. Later in the day, the premier attended banquet functions with over 200 representatives of Taiwan Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and leaders of overseas Chinese groups.
On June 1, Jiang met with Sanchez Ceren and Ortiz before their swearing-in and congratulated them on behalf of Ma and the people of Taiwan. The three leaders reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations, with Sanchez Ceren and Ortiz vowing to bolster cooperation and exchanges during their term in office.
While at the ceremony, the premier met with Dominican President Danilo Medina Sanchez, former Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom and Vice President Rafael Espada, Spanish Crown Prince Felipe Juan Pablo Alfonso de Todos los Santos and Belize Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, as well as representatives of the leaders of Japan, the U.S. and other countries.
Jiang also examined progress of ROC-El Salvador cooperative projects during his trip. Of particular interest was the One Town One Product program, which has assisted the Central American country develop its own local specialty products and made real gains in improving the livelihoods of the populace. It is important to note that the OTOP program adheres to the government’s policy that all foreign aid must be just, legal and effective.
The premier’s visit underscores the healthy state of affairs between the ROC and El Salvador, and is one of the highly visible results of viable diplomacy. This is an honest and upright policy under which the ROC continues as a responsible provider of foreign aid while consolidating relations with its diplomatic allies and partners. Such an approach lays the foundations for a win-win situation for all and enables Taiwan to stand tall in the international community.
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