President Tsai Ing-wen met Oct. 10 with a large number of overseas dignitaries visiting Taiwan for Double Tenth National Day celebrations, discussing opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation spanning such areas as culture, tourism and trade.
More than 300 foreign guests from Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies and nations such as Canada, Germany, Japan, Portugal, the U.K. and U.S. were in Taiwan to celebrate the ROC’s 105th anniversary. Pope Francis also sent a congratulatory message Oct. 5 through the Apostolic Nunciature, Holy See’s embassy in Taipei.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Marshall Islands led by Kenneth A. Kedi, speaker of the Pacific nation’s parliament, Tsai pledged to continue cooperating with the ROC diplomatic ally in various fields. She further expressed gratitude for the country’s support of Taiwan’s bid to meaningfully participate in international organizations.
The president made similar remarks while receiving a delegation from ROC diplomatic Burkina Faso led by the African nation’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alpha Barry, as well as a delegation representing the Guatemala City-headquartered Central America Parliament, or PARLACEN, led by its President Jose Antonio Alvarado.
Tsai also lunched with a delegation of 40 lawmakers from Japan’s parliament. In addition to calling for expanded cultural, economic and parliamentary exchanges between the two sides, she highlighted the importance of collaborating with the Northeast Asian country in exploring opportunities in South Asia and Southeast Asia under her New Southbound Policy.
The message that Taiwan is willing and able to work closely with its diplomatic allies and other friendly nations was reiterated by Vice President Chen Chien-jen during his meeting with a delegation from ROC diplomatic ally Swaziland led by Winnie Magagula, minister of labor and social security for the African country.
In addition to Tsai’s first National Day Address since taking office in May and a ceremony outside the Office of the President in the morning, the evening reception at historic Taipei Guest House was a highlight of the day. It was hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs David Tawei Lee and his wife, and attended by about 4,000 Taiwan and foreign dignitaries including Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, an ROC Caribbean diplomatic ally.
The well-received event featured a wide selection of mouthwatering signature Taiwan dishes made from the island’s finest produce. Entertainment was provided by internationally acclaimed Ten Drum Art Percussion Group, whose work was nominated for Best Traditional World Music Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. (OC-E)
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