President Chen Shui-bian met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Harris of Saint Christopher and Nevis on July 18 at the Office of the President. The president told his guest that he welcomes the Caribbean country to set up its embassy here in the Republic of China (Taiwan).
As Taiwan's diplomatic ally, Saint Christopher and Nevis has long supported Taiwan's engagement in international affairs. In addition to Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, who endorses Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations (UN), the country's health minister, Rupert Emanuel Herbert, and the foreign minister himself have also voiced their support for Taiwan's participation respectively in the World Health Assembly and in the UN.
While reassuring the president with the continued support for Taiwan, Harris invited the president to speak at the opening of the Cricket World Cup 2007 in Saint Christopher and Nevis, whose new cricket field was built with Taiwan's assistance.
Besides being the foreign minister, Harris also serves as the minister for international trade and for industry and commerce. His visit to the Office of the President was accompanied by Taiwan's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco L.Y. Hwang, and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Shyh-fang was also present in the meeting.