President Tsai Ing-wen received Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo at the Office of the President July 30 in Taipei City, vowing to boost economic and trade exchanges with the U.S. Pacific territory.
This is the fourth time Calvo has visited since he was first elected governor in 2011, Tsai said. The frequency of his trips underscores the strength of cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Guam, she added.
It is hoped the two sides can continue working together in sharing these experiences with other members of the Austronesian-speaking region, Tsai said, adding that this would further advance peace, prosperity and well-being in the Indo-Pacific.
According to the president, Guam—renowned for its Chamorro customs—is a stronghold of Austronesian culture. Taiwan is also an important hub in this regard and widely considered the starting point for the expansion of Austronesian languages and their speakers, she said.
In addition to close people-to-people ties, as evidenced by increasing numbers of Taiwan arrivals, Guam and Taiwan are fostering more business tie-ups in the lucrative tourism industry, Tsai added.
The president also took the opportunity to thank Calvo for his hospitality and the legislature’s welcoming resolution during her Guam transit last November after visiting allies Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in the South Pacific.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Calvo is leading a delegation on an eight-day tourism promotion and industry fact-finding visit. In addition to meetings with senior officials from the MOFA and Taipei City Government, the group will attend the opening of the 2018 Austronesian Forum Aug. 1 in Taipei.
Supported by the MOFA and organized by the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, the forum brings together representatives from 13 Pacific nations and territories for exchanges on issues pertaining to cultural heritage and social development. (SFC-E)
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