His Excellency President Note of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Madam Note, His Excellency President Remengesau of the Republic of Palau and Madam Remengesau, His Excellency President Scotty of the Republic of Nauru and Madam Scotty, Honorable Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Sogavare and Madam Sogavare, Honorable Prime Minister of Tuvalu Ielemia and Madam Ielemia, Her Excellency Vice President of the Republic of Kiribati Onorio; Esteemed Ministers, Distinguished Delegates and Guests, Friends from the Media:
Good evening to you all! Yakwei, Alii, Ma reit ed, Yuhow, Talofa, Miaoli!
I feel very honored that the leaders of our six Pacific allies, first ladies, and your delegations have accepted my invitation to gather and enjoy a delightful dinner together after the successful conclusion of the Second Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit. First, on behalf of Taiwan's delegation, I would like to extend a most sincere welcome to all of you.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate President Note and the government and people of the Marshall Islands on the resounding success in hosting this summit, for which you have worked so hard. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for making all the thoughtful arrangements to ensure that every delegation's stay during the summit has been safe, comfortable, and convenient.
I want to thank, of course, all the leaders and delegates for your active participation. Through pooling our wisdom and the thorough discussion at the summit, we have been able to not only review the achievements in regional developments jointly accomplished by Taiwan and her Pacific allies over the past one year, but also formulate directions for future cooperation.
Looking back at my tenure over the past seven and a bit years, we can see not only various breakthroughs in cooperation and interaction between Taiwan and her Pacific allies, but also strengthened exchange and mutual affection between our peoples. This is of great encouragement to us all. My term in office will end, but the friendship between the peoples of Taiwan and her Pacific allies will transcend time and space and outlast any presidency. This is because we are all descended from the ancient Austronesian peoples and have common genealogical roots. We breathe the same winds from the Pacific and look up to the same starry firmament above this great ocean. What's more, we also believe in the values of democracy and human rights and have shared development visions.
When the inauguration ceremony of the Preparatory Office of the Austronesian Forum, a project proposed at the Palau Summit, was held in Taipei on August 1, Interior Minister Rien Morris of the Marshall Islands' remarks on behalf of the representatives moved many. He said: "This accomplishment is no accident. This is an opportunity from above. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors traveled across the immense ocean to different places. Our cultures and traditions never sweep away but continue to grow and tie us together through God’s hands."
I believe that the reunion with leaders of our Pacific allies tonight is no accident, either. I am also convinced that what we have done for our countries and people will leave a mark on history. We often describe our nations as "oceanic countries" and our people, "children of the ocean." Truly, the boundless Pacific Ocean embraces us all. I want to share with you "Seashore," a poem by the American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, as a tribute to our Mother Ocean:
"Behold the Sea,
The opaline, the plentiful and strong,
Yet beautiful as is the rose in June,
Fresh as the trickling rainbow of July;
Sea full of food, the nourisher of kinds,
Purger of earth, and medicine of men;
Creating a sweet climate by my breath,
Washing out harms and griefs from memory,
And, in my mathematic ebb and flow,
Giving a hint of that which changes not."
When we go fishing on the sea early tomorrow morning, may this poem accompany you as you enjoy a relaxing time fishing in the bosom of the ocean. It is well known that the sea around Majuro Atoll is an excellent place for anglers, and that the small isles surrounding that area are exquisite, pleasant, and the most popular resting spots for tourists here. I look forward to going fishing with the leaders of our allies and picnicking on a beautiful island tomorrow.
President Tong offered a fishing tip at last year's summit. He is at this moment busily engaged in election campaigns and could not come to this year's summit. I wonder whether his tip will work tomorrow?
In closing, on behalf of Taiwan's delegation, I would like to once again thank President Note and the people of the Marshall Islands for your hospitality, and all the leaders and delegates for taking the time and traveling to attend the summit.
I would like to invite all distinguished guests to join me in a toast. To the health and happiness of every head of state and all distinguished guests! To the prosperity of our countries and the lasting friendship between our countries! Thank you. Komotata, Mei Sulang, Tubwa, Tagio, Fakafetai, Kam Rabwa!