The visit of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and his delegation to Taiwan is sincerely welcomed by the government and people, the Presidential Office said Aug. 7.
Arriving earlier the same day, the group comprises Orando Brewster, minister of national mobilisation, social development, family, gender affairs, youth, housing and informal human settlement; Angie Williams-Jackson, permanent secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister; and Lennox Bowman, chairman of the National Insurance Services Board.
During the delegation’s six-day visit, members were received by Tsai with military honors at the PO and witnessed the signing of a bilateral judicial cooperation agreement and a letter of intent for collaboration in higher education Aug. 8. Following a state banquet hosted by the president, they will meet with Premier Su Tseng-chang and Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, as well as head to southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City to meet with Mayor Chen Chi-mai and visit economic and cultural facilities.
Other highlights of the itinerary include a call at the Caribbean ally’s embassy in Taiwan, a meeting with St. Vincent and the Grenadines students studying in the country, and visits to the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) and Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management.
According to the PO, this marks Gonsalves’ 12th visit to Taiwan and his 11th as the PM. The trip underscores the steadfast and friendly ties between the two sides, the PO added.
Since Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic ties 41 years ago, the allies have worked closely in areas spanning education, infrastructure, agricultural development, women’s empowerment, and information and communications technology, the PO said. On top of speaking in support of Taiwan on many global occasions, Gonsalves came at a time when China is conducting military exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait, further demonstrating his staunch backing for the country, it added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Minister Wu extended a warm welcome to #Taiwan’s great supporter @ComradeRalph. It’s a real privilege to have the PM of our country’s #Caribbean ally #StVincentAndTheGrenadines & his delegation with us at this challenging time. All the best to our friends for the 6-day visit!” (YCH-E)
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