St. Vincent Prime Minister Arrives To Celebrate 45 Years of Ties With Taiwan
By Hank Hsu/Tiffany Wong
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday is in Taiwan to celebrate 45 years of his country's formal relations with Taipei. The Caribbean country is one of Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies that recognize it over China. Friday expressed his interest in boosting collaboration in tourism and marine industries, while President Lai Ching-te said he wanted to see continued youth exchanges and agricultural cooperation.
With a 19-gun salute, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te welcomes St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday in his first overseas visit after taking office.
GODWIN FRIDAY, PRIME MINISTER, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES (Taipei)
President Lai, thank you. That was an incredible display.
Friday is here to celebrate 45 years of ties between the two countries. His visit has eased concerns that his government would shift recognition to Beijing after ending his rival’s 24-year run in office last year.
GODWIN FRIDAY, PRIME MINISTER, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES (Taipei)
I am ready to work with you to write the next chapter of this 45-year relationship. I am prepared for partnership.
Later, President Lai thanked the Caribbean ally for its continued support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations. He also pledged Taiwan’s support for St. Vincent's development.
LAI CHING-TE, TAIWAN PRESIDENT (Taipei)
In the future, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation between both countries in various fields. I look forward to continuing to improve the well-being of people in both countries through diverse projects.
Of these diverse projects, Lai highlighted agricultural and youth exchanges, while Friday cited tourism and marine industries as areas of interest.
At a state banquet in the evening, Lai celebrated the 45 years of friendship between the two nations.
LAI CHING-TE, TAIWAN PRESIDENT (Taipei)
Taiwan and St. Vincent share values of democracy and freedom. We both understand the meaning of a nation's existence. A nation's meaning lies not in its size but in its adherence to its beliefs, care for its people, and its contributions and responsibilities to the international community.
As these two small nations celebrate together, their commitment to each other remains steadfast despite the threat of much larger and more powerful actors.
