I am greatly honored and pleased to host tonight's state banquet in honor of President Anote Tong, Madam Tong, and the distinguished delegation from the Republic of Kiribati. On behalf of the government and the 23 million people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to once again extend our warmest welcome and best wishes to President Tong, Madam Tong, and the members of Kiribati's delegation.
Last May, I had the honor of paying a state visit to your beautiful country at the invitation of President Tong, which made me the first head of state of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to visit the Republic of Kiribati.
Greeting us with their brightest and warmest smiles, your people made my delegation and me feel the genuine friendship of your government and people during our stay in Kiribati. On behalf of Taiwan's people, I would like to thank your government and people once again for your kindness to us.
Your Excellency is an outstanding statesman. After having served as permanent secretary of a number of ministries in the 1980s, you became a member of parliament in 1994 and later a Cabinet minister. Since being elected president in 2003, you have been working tirelessly on national development plans and projects. What's more, your decision to establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan has demonstrated your courage, wisdom, and talent as a great diplomat and strategist.
I would also like to express my admiration for Your Excellency's dedication to conservation. In March, you announced the creation of the world's third-largest marine reserve at the eighth meeting of the United Nations' Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Brazil. The 184,700 square-kilometer Phoenix Islands Protected Area is the world's first marine park to include a deep-sea habitat, which contains underwater mountains and protects more than 120 coral species and 520 types of fish. Your Excellency, this giant marine reserve is the best example of what it means for humans to live in harmony with nature and pursue sustainable development.
Of all the nations on Earth, it is Kiribati that sees the first rays of sunshine every day. Kiribati is also the only place on Earth where the equator intersects the International Date Line. Kiribati, consisting of three island groups that straddle a vast area of 5.2 million square kilometers in the Pacific Ocean, is the largest atoll nation in the world and is rich in natural resources and sites of interest to tourists.
Kiribati is also home to many important historic sites. For example, the islet of Betio, where the Battle of Tarawa took place in World War II, offers a wealth of war history and many relics from that battle remain there. Decades earlier, in 1889, Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the classic novel Treasure Island, made his home on Abemama Island. So it is clear that Kiribati is home to numerous historic and cultural sites worth visiting.
President Tong arrived in Taipei last Saturday evening, which happened to be the day of the publication of our country's first-ever National Security Report and the sixth anniversary of my inauguration as president.
Today, the 59th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan has, for the 10th year in a row, applied to become an observer to that body, and Taiwan's officials working on our bid to join the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as journalists covering the WHA in Geneva are eagerly awaiting the result. Many here in Taiwan and a great number of Taiwan's friends in the international community are also focused on whether our efforts will succeed this year.
That Your Excellency President Tong is here with us at this historic moment as we await the result of our application to the WHA proves that the government of Kiribati, led by President Tong, is the best friend and most trustworthy brother of Taiwan's people. We are truly grateful for Your Excellency's firm support and friendship. Together, let us cheer on our officials in Geneva and all the people of Taiwan--Go! Go!
Over the years, China has relentlessly oppressed Taiwan's activities in the international arena and presented Taiwan with a number of challenges. However, we are confident that Taiwan will never be alone, for we have good friends like Kiribati and many other countries that call for justice for our nation and speak out in support of the 23 million people of Taiwan.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for speaking out in support of Taiwan in the High-level Plenary Meeting and during the General Debate of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly last September and also for your backing for our bid to join the WHO last May. I sincerely hope that Kiribati will continue to lend its support to Taiwan's efforts to participate in international society.
Relations between Taiwan and Kiribati are very strong. Both nations are ready to come to the aid of the other in difficult times. We are not only political allies but also indispensable partners in the pursuit of economic development. I would like to reiterate that Taiwan will continue to be a constructive and cooperative partner in Kiribati's national development. It is our hope that through close cooperation, our two nations will together overcome difficulties and gradually realize the ideals and visions shared by our governments and peoples.
In closing, I would like to invite everybody to join me in a toast. To the success and health of His Excellency President Tong and Madam Tong! To the prosperity of Taiwan and Kiribati! And last, to the everlasting friendship between our countries! Thank you! Kamraba!