Your Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland; Your Excellency Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso; Your Excellency Fradique de Menezes, President of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe; Your Excellency Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi; Your Excellency Aja Isatou Nije-Saidy, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia; Esteemed Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening to you all!
It is my great honor and pleasure to host this banquet for Taiwan's best friends and dearest brothers, the heads of state of our African allies. You have led delegations to Taiwan to attend the First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit, the Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum and the opening ceremony of the World Wheelchair and Amputee Games. I must say that it is such a great joy to receive friends from afar! On behalf of the 23 million people and government of Taiwan, I would like to express my warmest welcome and appreciation to all of you.
This summit is of great significance for national development and democracy. For the first time in history, the national leaders of Taiwan and its African allies have come together in a common endeavor to bring further progress and prosperity to their countries. Meanwhile, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan, and is an important milestone in our nation's democratic development. Taiwan's democracy is now hailed as a success story worldwide. Also this year, we have for the first time applied for UN membership under the name "Taiwan." We have done this in the hope that we may make greater contributions to the international community, and fulfill our responsibilities and obligations as a global citizen.
From the platform that this summit provides, we can seek opportunities for closer cooperation between Taiwan and its African allies. Taiwan is willing to share with its allies its experience in such areas as digital technology, economic and trade development, health and medical care, and environmental protection. By pooling our wisdom at this summit, we can formulate new directions and projects for future cooperation and exchange so as to meet the different needs of each country. By making a concerted effort, we can help our allies create digital, healthy, progressive, and sustainable nations.
Taiwan wants to join its allies in responding to the UN Millennium Development Goals, and to work with the international community to fulfill these objectives, as well as to help promote world peace and sustainable development. May our efforts bring out Africa's full potential and allow this radiant continent to shine even brighter, so that the world may see Africa for what it is--a land of boundless vitality and creativity.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our African allies for adhering to righteousness and justice by supporting Taiwan as it struggles to consolidate democracy and create more space for participation in the international community. You are like guardian angels to Taiwan, Asia's beacon of democracy. May God bless Africa and Taiwan!
In closing, please join me in a toast: to the success of the First Taiwan-African Heads of State Summit! To the best of health of the heads of state! To the prosperity of Taiwan and its African allies! And finally, to the everlasting friendship between our countries! Thank you.