Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang led a delegation to Tuvalu as President Tsai Ing-wen’s special envoy to attend the inauguration of Prime Minister Feleti Teo March 6-8, underscoring Taiwan’s commitment to supporting the Pacific ally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In addition to viewing the ceremony, the deputy minister met with a range of officials including Teo, Governor-General Tofiga Falani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Development Panapasi Nelesone, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labor and Trade Paulson Panapa, and Minister for Health and Social Welfare Tuafafa Latasi, among other cabinet members and lawmakers, the MOFA said.
According to the ministry, Tien congratulated the new government on behalf of President Tsai, President-elect Lai Ching-te and Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and extended an invitation for Teo to attend Taiwan’s presidential inauguration in May, which he gladly accepted. Tien and Teo also exchanged views on bilateral cooperative projects, it added.
During his stay, Tien witnessed the handover of aid supplies by Taiwan NGOs to Tuvaluan counterparts and participated in events spotlighting results of the two sides’ collaborative projects to advance clean energy, install air conditioners in every Tuvaluan classroom and shore up coastal defenses against climate change, reflecting concrete actions by Taiwan to boost the Pacific ally’s resilience and enhance the welfare of its people.
This year marked the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Tien voiced appreciation for the ally’s long-standing support for Taiwan’s international participation, while Teo thanked Taiwan for contributing to his country’s development and vowed to continue backing Taiwan’s international involvement. (POC-E)
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