President Ma Ying-jeou on the evening of June 27, accompanied by Vice President Wu Den-yih, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office for the Republic of The Gambia President Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh and the delegation he was leading on a state visit to the ROC. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, expressed a cordial welcome to the visitors.
In remarks, President Ma stated that this marks the ninth visit to Taiwan by President Jammeh, which virtually makes Taiwan his second home. President Ma said that his counterpart had had an entirely new experience on this visit, and would hopefully return home with many happy memories. For instance, on Tuesday President Jammeh received an honorary doctorate degree from National Taipei University of Technology , and was designated as an honorary alumnus. On hand were many students from The Gambia who are studying in Taiwan, along with their Taiwanese spouses and children, he said. This created an interesting scene, the president commented, pointing out one student’s child who wore a T-shirt printed with the Chinese phrase “臺甘合作、愛情結晶 (ROC-The Gambia Cooperation, The Crystallization of Love)” printed on it. The president said that this made the ceremony all the more touching.
President Ma remarked that two months ago he made a state visit to The Gambia, and during his stay there he sensed the deep bond of brotherhood between the people of the two nations. He said this made a deep impression on him. During his stay in The Gambia, the president said, President Jammeh arranged for a push-up competition between the two, as well as a soccer match between officials from the two countries. This demonstrated the athletic abilities of President Jammeh and The Gambian cabinet, he said. President Ma said he frequently saw people with smiles on their faces while he was in The Gambia, which rang true to the nation's reputation as "The Smiling Coast of Africa ." Prior to President Ma’s departure, President Jammeh also specially stated publicly that the relations between the two countries are based not on interests, but on values. President Ma said these remarks deeply touched him and all the members of his delegation.
During the banquet, the two heads of state also engaged in a competition to see who could best pick up peanuts using chopsticks. The contest ended with the two leaders tied. President Ma commented that both The Gambia and Taiwan are known for their peanuts, adding that The Gambia is fully deserving of its title as "The Kingdom of Peanuts."
President Ma stated that The Gambia has become a model of development thanks to the outstanding leadership of President Jammeh, and that the achievements of the African country have been recognized by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank . The Gambia, he said, is a peace-loving nation, and in the past several months President Jammeh has helped to address crises in such West African nations as Mali and Guinea Bissau . His counterpart, President Ma said, has urged the leaders of those countries to return to constitutional democracy and to resolve disputes through peaceful means. President Jammeh's calls have been well-received in those nations and throughout the West African region. President Ma also expressed his appreciation to The Gambia for speaking on behalf of the ROC in international venues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international activities. The president also expressed his hopes that the government of The Gambia will continue to provide assistance in this respect, furthermore stating his desire for continued cooperative relations between the two countries.
Lastly, President Ma raised a toast to the health of President Jammeh, good fortune for The Gambia, a long lasting alliance between the two countries, and mutual assistance among the people of the two nations.
After the conclusion of the state banquet, President Ma accompanied President Jammeh to the Entrance Hall of the Presidential Office Building to watch a traditional song and dance from The Gambia. The performance exhibited the enthusiasm and vitality of the performers and made a deep impression on the audience.