Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang attended the inauguration of Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine Jan. 22 as President Tsai Ing-wen’s special envoy, relaying congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tien said during a meeting with Heine following the ceremony that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands are robust allies who share the values of freedom and democracy. He thanked the Pacific island nation for its long-term support for Taiwan’s global participation and pledged to continue expanding two-way ties across the board.
In response, Heine said the Marshall Islands and Taiwan share Austronesian heritage and praised the two sides’ enduring relationship spanning 26 years. She also extended her congratulations to Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim for winning Taiwan’s Jan. 13 presidential election.
Heine thanked Taiwan for enhancing the well-being of her people with projects in key areas such as agriculture, infrastructure development, health and medicine, and women’s empowerment. Taiwan’s efforts to assist her country during the COVID-19 pandemic really demonstrated the Taiwan Can Help spirit, she said, adding that her administration is fully committed to maintaining the robust ties going forward.
During his stay, Tien also held a bilateral meeting with the ally’s Foreign and Trade Minister Kalani Kaneko, exchanged views on critical regional issues with several senior officials and attended the donation ceremony of 60 tons of Taiwan-grown rice to the ally, the MOFA said. (SFC-E)
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