President Tsai Ing-wen said Nov. 16 that she looks forward to continued backing from Taiwan’s allies, is committed to supporting them on the global stage and will foster mutually beneficial development with them.
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a delegation of permanent representatives to the U.N. from Taiwan’s allies. Led by Inga Rhonda King of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the group consists of Amatlain Elizabeth Kabua of the Marshall Islands, Margo Reminisse Deiye of Nauru, Carlos Fuller of Belize, and Jose Eduardo Pereira Sosa of Paraguay.
Interaction between Taiwan and its allies is growing increasingly close on the basis of principles of steadfast diplomacy and mutual assistance bringing mutual benefits, Tsai said, citing her visits to Belize and Paraguay in 2018, to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Marshall Islands and Nauru in 2019, and to Belize again in April.
The allies are key to Taiwan’s engagement with the world, Tsai said. She took the opportunity to thank leaders, including President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay, President David Kabua of the Marshall Islands, then-President Russ Joseph Kun of Nauru, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Prime Minister John Briceno of Belize, for speaking out in support of Taiwan while speaking at the U.N. General Assembly and the SDG Summit in September.
Taiwan is a force for good and an indispensable member of the international community, the president said, adding that the country will participate in global affairs, safeguard universal values of freedom and democracy and work with partners to promote global and regional development.
In response, King praised Taiwan as an exemplar of good governance, unbridled innovation and resilience, as well as making a significant contribution to the global peace and security. The allies have benefited from assistance in areas including agriculture, education, health and technology, King said, adding that this engagement embodies the spirit of the U.N. Charter.
The allies will continue to advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation within the international community, King said, pledging collaborative work to achieve the U.N. 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. (YCH-E)
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