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President Tsai hosts banquet to thank Marshallese president and people
President Tsai hosts banquet to thank Marshallese president and people
2017-10-31

On October 31 at 6 p.m. local time (Taipei time 2 p.m.) President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a dinner banquet to thank the government and people of the Marshall Islands for their generous hospitality.

In remarks, President Tsai said that good times pass all too quickly, so she and her delegation would be leaving the Marshall Islands the following morning for the next stop of their state visit to Pacific allies. She then thanked President Hilda C. Heine and the Marshallese government and people for their warm hospitality, and said she will always remember the friendliness of the people, and the emerald waters and blue skies she encountered in the Marshall Islands 

She went on to say that over the previous two days, her official meetings and visits gave ample proof of the achievements of Taiwanese-Marshallese cooperation, and future cooperative projects were confirmed that will make bilateral cooperation even more intensive and comprehensive. 

President Tsai also noted that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands signed memorandums of understanding regarding a Presidents' Scholarship Fund established in the names of both sitting presidents, immigration cooperation, and the prevention of human trafficking.

Thanks to continuous contributions by the governments and people in both countries, she said, cooperation projects covering in medicine, energy, agriculture, and the circular economy have continued to progress.

President Tsai emphasized that promoting any project requires much effort from people who toil without fanfare or headlines like our technical teams and alternative military service personnel. In the Marshall Islands, they are the ones promoting circular economy concepts like energy conservation and zero waste output. They have also created a "green" farm that meets economic needs and is also ecofriendly. These are the initial building blocks of sustainable development. 

President Tsai also said that she is very proud of the medical team from Taiwan's Shuang Ho Hospital. During yesterday's memorandums signing ceremony, the Marshallese minister of health and human services even referred to an outstanding Taiwanese nurse serving here as a "super woman." This made a deep impression on her.

Over the past few years, the president noted, our medical team has accomplished a great deal in terms of providing medical care, referrals, disease prevention, and personnel training. The outstanding accomplishments of our medical and sanitation programs are wholly due to the efforts of countless medical personnel.

President Tsai specially invited Taiwan embassy colleagues, and members of our technical and medical missions to attend the banquet to honor their hard work. She expressed her gratitude for all of our colleagues who did all the preparatory work for this trip.

President Tsai emphasized that for the Marshallese, the Taiwanese working in their country represent Taiwan. Whether they work at the embassy, as part of our technical missions, or partner with our medical teams, they are all part of the same team. We have but one purpose: To make the friendship between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands even better. "The government will support you, so let's all pull together, and give our best efforts," said the president.

President Tsai was deeply impressed by the warmth of the Marshallese people, as well as their songs, dances, and arts and crafts. She also extended a personal invitation to President Heine, Parliament Speaker Kenneth A. Kedi , and their spouses to visit Taiwan again, where they will receive the warmest of welcomes. 

President Tsai then asked everyone to join her in a toast to the lasting friendship between Taiwan and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Dinner banquet attendees included members of the delegation accompanying President Tsai: Secretary-General to the President Joseph Wu (吳釗燮); National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥); Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee (李大維); Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中); Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Icyang Parod (夷將‧拔路兒); ROC Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Tang Diann-wen (唐殿文). Also in attendance from the Marshall Islands were Council of Iroij Chairman Kodak Loeak and his wife; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade John Silk and his wife; Minister of Health and Human Services Kalani Kaneko; Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Alfred Alfred, Jr.; Majuro Mayor Ladie N. Jack; and Marshall Islands Ambassador to the ROC Frederick H. Muller.

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