President Ma Ying-jeou and Vice President Vincent C. Siew met with Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Frank Utu Ofagioro Kabui, GCMG CSI OBE, and Mrs. Kabui at the Presidential Office on the evening of May 13. The president, on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, extended a cordial welcome to Governor General Kabui, his wife, and the accompanying delegation.
The president remarked that he led a delegation to the Solomon Islands in March, and was deeply honored by the state banquet and warm reception provided to him and his delegation by Governor General Kabui. During the state banquet, Governor General Kabui incorporated his understanding of Taiwan into his address, mentioning many notable people who had made contributions to Taiwan. The president said that it is clear that Governor General Kabui is quite knowledgeable about Taiwan. In addition, Governor General Kabui, President Ma said, has on many occasions lauded Taiwan's economic development, which he said has made a deep impression on the people here.
The president commented that Governor General Kabui studied law and previously served as the attorney general of the Solomon Islands, noting that he is highly esteemed in that nation's legal community. President Ma said that as a person of high integrity, his service as Governor General was extremely significant with regards to the development of the Solomon Islands.
President Ma said that his March trip to the Solomon Islands marked his second visit to that country, following a previous visit in 1997. He said that he was delighted to have the opportunity to visit there again after 13 years. The president stated that the Solomon Islands and the ROC have a deep and strong friendship. The two sides are involved in a number of cooperation projects covering agriculture, medicine, and even solar energy. All of the projects have yielded impressive results, he said.
Lastly, the president reiterated his welcome to Governor General and Mrs. Kabui on behalf of the government and people of the ROC. He also expressed his hopes that they will have a chance to do some sightseeing in Taiwan, and will come away from this visit with many happy memories.
Governor General Kabui expressed his appreciation to the ROC government and people for their warm reception of his delegation, and he reiterated the stability of the alliance between the two nations. He expressed his deepest appreciation to the ROC government for the longstanding concern, support, and assistance it has provided to the Solomon Islands. He also expressed his hopes that interaction between the two countries will grow even stronger, thereby creating the greatest wellbeing for the peoples of the ROC and the Solomon Islands.
In addition to Governor General Kabui and Mrs. Kabui, Solomon Islands Governor General Secretary Nigel Zagiri Maezama, Chief Aide-de Camp Russell Tagini, Foreign Ministry Chief of Protocol Salana Kalu, and Protocol Officer for the Wife of the Governor General Faye Siapu were escorted to the Presidential Building by Solomon Islands Ambassador to the ROC Victor S. Ngele to meet President Ma. Also present at the meeting were Presidential Secretary-General Liao Liao-yi, National Security Council Secretary-General Hu Wei-jen and Mrs. Hu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang and Mrs. Yang, and ROC Ambassador to the Solomon Islands George Chan and Mrs. Chan.