Your Excellency President Scotty and Madame Scotty; Honorable Ministers; Distinguished guests; Ladies and gentlemen: Good afternoon! Ma reit ed!
This is my first visit to the sunny ocean state of Nauru. I would like, first of all, on behalf of the 23 million people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), to express my sincerest respect and greetings to the people and government of your great country. As this is the first time a head of state from Taiwan has visited Nauru, my trip demonstrates the genuine and warm friendship conveyed by the people of Taiwan to the people of Nauru. It also testifies to the solid brotherhood of our two nations.
I want to express my gratitude to President Scotty for inviting me and the members of my delegation to the Menen Hotel to attend this grand and special luncheon. We are very honored and delighted to be treated to Nauruan cuisine with our good friends here.
Today's luncheon reminds me of the state visit paid by Your Excellency to Taiwan in March this year, during which he told me that he calls the heads of his various government departments "my boys", because they are of one mind and cooperate with each other, like a family, to improve the lives of the people. I want to congratulate the people of Nauru on having such a devoted and responsible national leader as President Scotty at the helm of your great country.
Last May when I attended the National Day celebration of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, President Scotty made a special trip to see me. After Taiwan and Nauru resumed diplomatic relations, President Scotty has sent me letters of support and encouragement in times of challenge. He has also called for other countries to support me and Taiwan's democracy, freedom and peace. Such genuine friendship, extended to myself and to the people of Taiwan, touches us deeply and we shall never forget. True friends will always extend their warm hands to embrace their friends in need.
Thanks to the close relations between Taiwan and Nauru, I have had various opportunities to discuss cooperative projects with many ministerial-level officials of Nauru. The earnest and sincere attitude of President Scotty and his government officials is very impressive.
The efforts made by Your Excellency and your governing team have gradually led to success. For example, as the blueprint for your national policy, Nauru proposed a National Sustainable Development Strategy at the successful "Donors' Roundtable" hosted by your country in November 2005. The results of the meeting received affirmation from France, Japan, the EU and the Asian Development Bank. In the future, Nauru will certainly overcome current obstacles by effectively attracting foreign investment and assistance. I am convinced that with the concerted efforts by your governmental agencies led by President Scotty, Nauru will see further development and shine even more brightly as a star in the South Pacific.
Currently, our two countries are working on various cooperative projects in the fields of agriculture, medical care, fisheries, the economy, education, and infrastructure. These projects include cooperation on the mooring system of Nauru's harbor, a demonstration farm, and an aquacultural farm. All of these are the fruits of our bilateral cooperation.
We are very moved by the success of our cooperative projects, and it has reinforced our confidence in the potential for future cooperation and development. I want to reiterate that Taiwan will continue to work hand in hand with Nauru in its national development, and Taiwan and Nauru can be each other's best partners for sustainable development.
I want also to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for Nauru's unswerving support over the years for democratic Taiwan's participation in the UN, the WHO, the Pacific Islands Forum, the South Pacific Tourism Organization, and other international organizations. I sincerely hope that Nauru will continue to support Taiwan's effort to play a constructive role in the international community.
In closing, I would like to thank President Scotty for hosting such a wonderful luncheon for me and the members of my delegation. On behalf of the people and government of my country, I would like to propose a toast: to the national prosperity of your great country; to the good health of H.E. President Scotty, Honorable Ministers, and Parliamentarians; and to the everlasting friendship between Taiwan and Nauru.