Remarks at the State Banquet Hosted by Her Excellency Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy of Saint Lucia
Chen Shui-bian
President
Republic of China (Taiwan)
January 16, 2008
Your Excellency Governor General Louisy, Honorable Prime Minister King, Esteemed Ministers, Members of the Taiwan Delegation, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening!
To start off, I would like to thank Her Excellency Governor General Louisy for welcoming my delegation and me with this grand state banquet in such an exquisite location that brims with the artistic charm of the Caribbean and romantic ambiance of the tropics. Though we set foot on St. Lucia just a few hours ago, how could we not fall in love with it instantly?!
Last April, Taiwan and St. Lucia resumed diplomatic relations. I felt very excited and moved the moment our plane touched down on this land, as this marks the first time that a president of Taiwan has led a delegation to this beautiful country. This trip will give us first-hand experience of St. Lucia's scenery and culture and the opportunity to greet its people and government in person. Therefore, this trip sets an important milestone in the relations between Taiwan and St. Lucia, and solidifies the foundation on which they are based.
On behalf of the government and 23 million people of Taiwan, I would like to extend our warmest regards to Her Excellency Governor General Louisy, Honorable Prime Minister King, and the people and government of St. Lucia. I also want to thank the government for all its courtesies and thoughtful arrangements. My delegation and I are convinced that this "maiden voyage to St. Lucia" will yield powerful results and leave us with wonderful memories.
I read much on St. Lucia before coming and learned of St. Lucia's excellence in culture, in particular education, music and sports. For instance, I came to understand that St. Lucia boasts the highest ratio in the world for the number of native Nobel laureates with respect to total population. We are quite interested in knowing what is so special about St. Lucia that makes it one of the major cradles of civilization in the Caribbean.
When arriving at the airport this afternoon, we received a warm welcome, one that was even warmer than the weather. My delegation and I were deeply touched. I have long admired the beauty of St. Lucia, but not until today have I had a chance to see it for myself. From the sky, your country looks like a sparkling emerald on a sapphire velvet cloth. I could hardly turn my eyes away. St. Lucia deserves its reputation as Helen of the Caribbean.
Although I am unable to stay here long due to my busy schedule back home, I am most willing to promote tourism in St. Lucia by acting as its spokesman. About thirty members of the Taiwan media are traveling with our entourage. I am sure that they will collect information on tourism in St. Lucia and broadcast your attractions on channels across Taiwan.
This historic state visit will not only enhance relations between our two nations, but also give me an opportunity to exchange opinions with Prime Minister King on how to widen and deepen our cooperative partnership, which has been mutually beneficial. St. Lucia is in the process of economic transformation, and Taiwan remains its faithful ally and development partner. Therefore, we will continue to assist you in hastening economic development, promoting agricultural diversification, boosting tourism, and spurring the development of St. Lucia's technology industry. We wish to share Taiwan's experiences in national development and economic transformation with you. We are fully committed to assisting in St. Lucia's national development and enhancing the well-being of its people through cooperation projects in such areas as agriculture, constituency development, healthcare, human resources training, education and ecotourism.
I am grateful that cooperation projects between our countries have moved on swiftly, thereby benefiting many St. Lucians and deepening the brotherly love between us. I am confident that the bonds between our nations will continue to grow stronger and that we will always stand side by side like the twin Pitons.
My delegation and I look forward to visiting your scenic spots and witnessing the cooperation projects between our countries tomorrow. We will see the reconstruction of the children's ward and ward 6 at Victoria Hospital, and the rebuilding of the science labs at St. Joseph's Convent Secondary School. This academic institution has enjoyed a long history and has nurtured many outstanding students.
I would like to mention that Her Excellency Governor General Louisy is a renowned educator in the Caribbean. In addition to showing a great passion for the arts, Her Excellency is dedicated to promoting the rights of disadvantaged groups and participating in charity activities. I would like to express my utmost respect and admiration for Her Excellency due to her contributions to the education and culture of St. Lucia, and once again thank her for hosting this wonderful banquet.
In closing, I would like to invite everyone to join me in a toast: to the health and happiness of Governor General Louisy and Prime Minister King! To the prosperity of St. Lucia! And lastly, to the everlasting friendship between our countries and peoples! Thank you.