Vice President Annette Lu arrived at Majuro International Airport in the Marshall Islands at 11:05 a.m. (7:05 a.m. January 29 Taipei time) and received a warm welcome by the local public and members of the overseas compatriot community. ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Bruce J. D. Linghu and Marshall Islands Chief of Protocol Neijon Edwards boarded Vice President Lu's plane, while Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Tony de Brum and Majuro Mayor Riley Albarter were waiting on the tarmac to welcome the vice president. Vice President Lu and the officials at the airport to welcome her made their way to a guest room at the airport for a short visit before the vice president headed to the hotel where she is staying in Majuro. The vice president received a warm welcome and flowers upon reaching the hotel from members of the ROC (Taiwan) embassy and members of the hotel staff, led by hotel manager Bill Weza.
In the afternoon, Vice President Lu headed to the Marshall Islands government building to meet with President Litokwa Tomeing and members of that nation's cabinet. Vice President Lu, on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian and the people of Taiwan, offered congratulations to President Tomeing on his recent inauguration. She also said that President Chen and the people of Taiwan are interested in the development of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in Pacific region. Vice President Lu expressed her gratitude to the Marshall Islands for providing staunch support in Taiwan's efforts to participate in the international community. She said she hopes her hosts will continue to support Taiwan in its bid to become a member of the United Nations.
After the meeting with the leader of the Marshall Islands, Vice President Lu paid a visit to Parliament Speaker Jurelang Zedkaia and met with a group of parliamentarians. The meeting with Speaker Zedkaia and the parliamentarians was held at the newly completed International Conference Center, which was built with assistance from Taiwan.
Later in the afternoon, Vice President Lu was accompanied by Marshall Islands Secretary of Resources and Development Fred Muller on a visit to the Taiwan technical mission stationed in the country. The vice president received a briefing on the state of the mission's affairs by the head of the mission. She also personally toured projects implemented by the mission, involving hog breeding and raising, fish fry breeding, and the cultivation of corn, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. The vice president praised the members of the mission for the outstanding work they have provided, and also presented them with small gifts in gratitude of their hard work.
In the evening, Vice President Lu attended a dinner held in her honor by President Tomeing. She took advantage of the occasion to once again express her warmest congratulations to President Tomeing on behalf of President Chen and the Taiwan people. The vice president noted that the dinner hall featured two intricately decorated canoes, symbolizing the deep friendship between the Marshall Islands and Taiwan. She said she is confident the new Marshall Islands government will continue to strengthen its relations with Taiwan. Vice President Lu said she wanted to especially express her gratitude for the efforts made by the leaders of the Marshall Islands over the past decade in advocating Taiwan's participation in the international community. She said she hopes the Marshall Islands will continue to support Taiwan, adding that Taiwan is willing to continue to assist the Marshall Islands in a wide range of development projects.
The vice president ended her remarks by saying that she had one more important mission on this trip. She said President Chen asked her to extend an invitation to President Tomeing and Mrs. Tomeing, along with other government officials, to visit Taiwan at their earliest convenience. She mentioned that she and President Chen will soon leave office after serving in their posts for eight years. The two hope that they will have an opportunity to host President Tomeing before leaving office.