The heads of state of the Republic of China and the Kingdom of Tonga reaffirmed today that the two countries will join hands to stride toward progress and prosperity on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity.
President Lee Teng-hui hosted a state banquet in honor of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and the Queen of Tonga and other members of their delegation at the Taipei Guest House this evening. Vice President Lien Chan and other senior ROC government officials were also present.
Prior to the banquet, the two leaders met at the Taipei Guest House and exchanged views extensively on current international situation and matters of cooperation between the two countries.
In his speech, President Lee again extended, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, his warmest welcome to the visiting King and Queen of Tonga and the entire delegation.
President Lee said that King Tupou IV is a distinguished statesman with great wisdom and forward-looking vision. Under his brilliant leadership, the Kingdom of Tonga has become a major force in maintaining freedom, peace and stability in the South Pacific region, he said. As a ninth-time visitor to this country, the King has witnessed and understands the progress and development of the ROC during the past years, the President stated.
Both Tonga and the ROC are located in the Pacific region and share the commitment to promoting human rights, world peace and justice, national development and the well-being of their peoples, he said.
President Lee indicated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in April 1972, the two countries have enjoyed a close and long-standing friendship. With the widening scope of mutual cooperation, the visits by high-level officials to each other's country have become frequent, he said. "I visited the Kingdom of Tonga in 1975 as the ROC Special Envoy to join her celebrations of the Centenary of the Constitution, and was deeply impressed by her beautiful landscape and friendly people."
This year, 1998, is particularly significant in the history of Tonga-ROC relations, the President stated. He said that the ROC government dispatched Premier Vincent Siew as its Special Envoy to participate in the celebration of the King's 80th birthday, which fell on July 4 of this year, and to discuss matters of strengthening mutual exchanges and cooperation with senior officials of Tonga. The President said that this visit by King Tupou IV afforded them the opportunity to exchange views with each other on current international situation and matters of common concern, and would thereby help to further promote the cordial ties and friendship between Tonga and the ROC.
The President reiterated that the ROC treasures its friendship with Tonga, and is fully aware of the importance of cultivating and strengthening their friendship and cooperation. He believes that through close exchanges and cooperation, the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of China will join hands to stride toward progress and prosperity on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity.
In response, King Tupou IV expressed his sincere appreciation, once again, for the warm welcome and hospitality that President Lee and the ROC government have accorded him and his delegation, as well as for the assistance the ROC has provided to the government and people of Tonga.
The King said that the Kingdom of Tonga shares with the Republic of China the commitment to peace and justice, and that in order to promote the progress and development of the two countries as well as the well-being of their two peoples, his kingdom wishes to establish closer friendship and relations with the ROC on the existing foundation by strengthening mutual cooperation and exchanges.
Following their speeches, President Lee and King Tupou IV invited all the guests to join them in a toast to the continued prosperity of and ever-lasting friendship between the two nations.