President Ma Ying-jeou met on the afternoon of June 10, 2015 with Sao Tome and Principe National Assembly President Jose da Graça Diogo. President Ma thanked Mr. Diogo for his country's support for the ROC's participation in international organizations, and called for continued deepening of bilateral exchange and cooperation.
In remarks, President Ma indicated that Mr. Diogo has served in Sao Tome and Principe (STP) as chief of satellite ground station operations at National Telecommunications Company (Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicações, ENATEL), was a founding member of the national communications commission, minister of natural resources, energy and the environment, president of a submarine cable commission, and a founding member of the Independent Democratic Action (Partido Acção Democrática Independente, ADI) party. He is a leading radio communications expert and a veteran politician. Especially noteworthy is the fact that, as president of the submarine cable commission, he oversaw the successful establishment of a link to a cable between Africa and Europe, STP's first-ever link to an international submarine cable. The presence of so many heavyweight members in the visiting delegation led by Mr. Diogo, said the president, clearly shows the importance that STP places on its bilateral ties with the ROC.
President Ma pointed out that in the 18 years since Taiwan and STP established diplomatic ties, official relations have been strong. In May 2014 at the World Health Assembly (WHA), and again in September that year at the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, STP spoke out strongly in support of the ROC, and in October 2014 STP sent a letter to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change urging that Taiwan be allowed to take part as an observer in the activities of the organization. For this support, the president expressed his deepest gratitude.
President Ma noted that Taiwan attended the WHA in 2009 for the first time in 38 years, and in September 2012 took part in the International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly after a hiatus of 42 years. The president stressed that Taiwan needs to participate in international organizations, and is capable of contributing to the international community, so he hopes that STP will continue to lend its support and assistance in this regard.
Recalling a state visit he made to STP in January 2014, President Ma noted that he was deeply impressed by the kindness and warmth of the local people. While there, he visited a chocolate factory and tasted the delicious products. He also toured the second state-run high school, which had been built with support from the ROC. During the tour, the president oversaw the ROC's donation of 30 soccer balls to the school, and marked the occasion by attempting a 12-meter penalty kick. The ball found the net, eliciting a big cheer from the crowd. The happy interaction with the students and teachers there was an unforgettable experience.
President Ma also mentioned that the ROC provides Taiwan Scholarships in order to promote people-to-people contact among youth and encourage top students from STP to study in Taiwan. More than 50 people from STP are currently studying in Taiwan, including Mr. Diogo's son (now majoring in computer science information engineering at Tamkang University) and the daughter of National Assembly member Jorge Amado (studying international tourism and hospitality at I-Shou University). Both are set to graduate this year. When President Ma visited STP last year, President Manuel Pinto Da Costa had expressed hope that the ROC might lend assistance for the establishment of a geographic information system. With Mr. Diogo's son about to finish his studies, President Ma expressed confidence that upon his return to STP he will certainly be able to make a contribution in his chosen field of expertise.
Commenting on bilateral cooperation projects, President Ma mentioned a highly successful Malaria Control Project carried out some years ago under the leadership of the Taiwanese malaria expert Dr. Jih-ching Lien (連日清). Whereas the incidence of malaria stood at 47% in 2003, by 2010 the rate was down to 3.7%, and it had further fallen to 1% by the time of the president's visit to STP last year. The ROC has also helped STP develop its communications infrastructure. The two sides have expanded their cooperation in this area through, for example, the establishment of an e-government system (G-Net) and a digital learning center. In addition, while visiting STP last year President Ma toured the Santo Amaro thermal power station, which supplies over 50% of that nation's electric power. The Santo Amaro station is operated and maintained by the ROC, which is training local maintenance and operations personnel so that STP citizens can eventually take over these functions.
President Ma extended congratulations on the upcoming 40th anniversary of STP independence on July 12, and wished the delegation members a smooth and successful visit that will further deepen bilateral cooperation.
Also included in the delegation were STP National Assembly members Bilaine Carvalho Viegas de Ceita, Jorge Amado, and Danilson Alcantara Fernandes Cotu.