Your Majesty King Mswati III; Your Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaDube; Chairman of the African Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Taha; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Sawadogo; Ambassadors and Foreign Representatives; Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Kau; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good Evening.
It is my great honor to have been invited once again to attend the Africa Day celebration hosted by the African Diplomatic Corps in Taipei. Africa Day celebrates the establishment of the Organization of African Unity on May 25, 1963, which became the African Union on July 9, 2002. The birth of the African Union marked a new chapter in the integration of and cooperation among African nations, and it demonstrated the African people's determination to pursue progress and development.
Leaders from the 53 member states of the African Union will attend the African Union Summit in The Gambia, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, on July 1 and 2. This is a significant event both for The Gambia and for all of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Africa. People in Taiwan share The Gambia's pride in hosting this summit, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the government and people of The Gambia.
Tonight's Africa Day celebration is very special, because it is the first time since I became president that two heads of state are in attendance at this event in Taiwan. It is my honor to introduce to you the other head of state at tonight's celebration, one of my best friends and dearest brothers, His Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland.
Your Majesty is the first head of state of one of Taiwan's diplomatic allies to have attended the Africa Day celebration in Taiwan during my presidency and you are also the only head of state to have attended both of my inauguration ceremonies, the first having been in 2000 and the second in 2004. Your Majesty's presence at tonight's celebration is a symbol of the stable and cordial relations between Taiwan and its African allies. Such a dynamic, constructive, and cooperative partnership between Taiwan and its African allies has brought many opportunities for progress for all our people. I would like to invite all our distinguished guests to join me in a round of applause to welcome His Majesty King Mswati III and Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaDube.
Over the years, Taiwan has shared its experiences in national development with its diplomatic allies in Africa. Taiwan's government agencies and private sector have assisted these nations to develop their economies and improve the lives of their people, and have promoted development plans in agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, transportation, the construction of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and vocational training.
It is our honor to be able to assist our African diplomatic allies in meeting the challenges they face, particularly in the area of fighting AIDS. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of AIDS. Over the past 25 years, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people. Today, more than 40 million people all over the world are suffering from this disease.
According to the United Nations Program on Aids and the World Health Organization, more than 60 percent of all people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa. Roughly 25.8 million people in the region are infected. Last year alone, the epidemic claimed 2.4 million lives in this area and 3.2 million new HIV cases were reported there.
To assist Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Africa in fighting AIDS and expand Taiwan's medical and healthcare cooperation with Africa, Taiwan's Department of Health sent a health representative to Malawi in 2002. In July 2004, Taiwan's medical mission at Malawi's Mzuzu Central Hospital set up the Rainbow Clinic to treat people with HIV/AIDS. The clinic has earned financial support from the United Nations Children's Fund, and offers free antiretroviral drugs to patients. What's more, our medical mission also developed and introduced a Fingerprint Identification System, enabling doctors to easily register and identify patients through their fingerprints, prevent inappropriate use of drugs, and save the time and energy of our medical personnel.
Today, the clinic has become one of Malawi's best AIDS treatment centers and its existence is a foundation upon which Taiwan's project to set up an AIDS research center in Africa can be built. At present, we are assisting the Kingdom of Swaziland in establishing the Fingerprint Identification System in a joint effort to provide better treatment to HIV/AIDS patients.
In addition, we are committed to helping our African allies to fight other diseases and work together on other projects. Over the past few months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health have sent experts to Burkina Faso and Chad to help carry out preventive measures against the spread of avian flu, and have supplied medicine and medical supplies to these nations. A group of experts was also dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe to assist in its efforts to wipe out malaria. Moreover, we have provided The Gambia's government with computers and medical equipment. These are the concrete actions Taiwan has taken to repay the international community for its assistance and support.
On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our African diplomatic allies for once again speaking out in support of Taiwan at the World Health Assembly in May. Holding fast to the belief that disease prevention should transcend national boundaries, our African allies have been firm in supporting our bid to become an observer to the World Health Organization. Our African allies are our truest friends as we strive to expand our activities in the international arena, and I can assure you that Taiwan will never forget your kindness and help.
In closing, I would like to invite everybody to join me in a toast. To the successful integration, unity, and prosperity of the African Union! To the health and happiness of Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, and all our distinguished guests! Thank you.