President Chen Shui-bian, who is presently on "The Journey of Mutual Friendship and Sustained Development" to Central America and the Caribbean, this morning at 9:00 a.m. (9:00 p.m. January 16 Taipei time) began the second day of his itinerary in St. Lucia.
President Chen first visited the Prime Minister's Office to meet with St. Lucia Prime Minister Stephenson King. Upon the completion of their talks, the two signed the Taiwan-St. Lucia Joint Communiqué. The ceremony marking the signature of the document began after a declaration by the master. President Chen and Prime Minister King each signed their name on the communiqué and then exchanged signed copies of the document. The two stood before photographers for a joint picture before each made remarks.
After leaving the Prime Minister's Office, the president was accompanied by Prime Minister King to that nation's top girls junior high school for a visit. President Chen was asked to make remarks and also presided over a ceremony marking the donation of a science laboratory at the school.
Upon completing his visit to the school, the president headed for Victoria Hospital, which is one of the most important hospitals in the St. Lucia capital of Castries. The hospital plays a key role in providing medical relief to the people of that nation. As the president arrived at the hospital, hospital workers were standing by to offer him a warm welcome. President Chen took time to shake hands with each one of them, also expressing his gratitude for their warm reception. The director of the hospital, Jenny Fevrier, then led President Chen to a briefing room to provide a short introduction to the facility. Prime Minister King and St. Lucia Health Minister Dr. Keith Montdesir were also present during the briefing. President Chen then walked to the pediatric ward and the No. 6 ward of the hospital to see first-hand the state of repairs being carried out at the facility.
President Chen then returned to his hotel for a short rest before setting out again in the afternoon. The president and his delegation went to the Rodney Bay Marina in the capital to board a vessel that would take them on a tour of the St. Lucia coastline and the famous scenic site of Pitons. A number of members of St. Lucia's Cabinet also joined the president for the afternoon on the sea. The officials enjoyed lunch on the boat. Members of Taiwan's press corps traveling with the president also joined the tour, getting to see with their own eyes the beautiful coastline of St. Lucia and the azure waters of the Caribbean.
After a journey that lasted nearly three hours, the group arrived at the Soufriere pier in southern St. Lucia and stepped back on land. President Chen shook hands with the many people and children who had gathered at the pier to welcome him. The residents of the area also presented President Chen with an oil painting depicting a traditional Caribbean scene. The president offered gifts in return. The warm reception he received there made a deep impression on him.
Early in the evening, the president and his delegation reached Hewanorra International Airport. Cabinet members were on hand at a reception room in the airport, and the officials from both countries held short talks before President Chen was escorted to his plane. The officials shook hands and then President Chen walked up the steps to enter the aircraft. He turned around and waved goodbye, thanking the government and people of St. Lucia for their hospitality over the past two days. This marked the successful ending to the president's trip to the East Caribbean nation of St. Lucia.