Vice President Vincent C. Siew departed Taiwan on the night of May 10 with a delegation headed for the Republic of Paraguay to attend celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of that nation's independence. The vice president, who will personally congratulate Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo and the people of Paraguay on behalf of the government and people of the ROC, delivered brief remarks before boarding the plane.
He stated that he will serve as President Ma Ying-jeou's special envoy on this trip to attend festivities on May 15 marking the 200th anniversary of Paraguay's independence. In addition, the vice president has been invited by Panama's Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Juan Carlos Varela to visit Panama. This will be his first visit to Latin America in his capacity as vice president.
Vice President Siew remarked that Paraguay, an important ally of the ROC in South America, gained its independence from Spain in 1811. Paraguayan President Lugo made a special trip to Taiwan earlier this year in March to mark the ROC's centenary, said the vice president, adding that the postal authorities of the two countries also plan to issue commemorative stamps to highlight the special friendship between the two nations.
The vice president remarked that Panama and the ROC have an alliance dating back over 100 years, and that Panama's development and economic growth have been especially strong in recent years under the leadership of President Ricardo Martinelli. During his stay in Panama, Vice President Siew will meet with President Martinelli and Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Varela to exchange opinions on issues of mutual concern in order to further promote friendly relations.
Vice President Siew will return to Taiwan on the evening of May 20. He will make a stopover in Los Angeles on his way to Paraguay and after leaving Panama will stop in New York City before heading home. Accompanying Vice President Siew on the trip are Senior Advisor to the President Chan Chi-shean (詹啓賢), Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang (楊進添), National Policy Advisor to the President Wang Lin-Hui (王玲惠), and officials from the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Presidential Secretary-General Wu Jin-lin (伍錦霖), Panama Ambassador to the ROC Mario Luis Cucalón D'Anello, Paraguay Minister to the ROC Carlos José Fleitas Rodríguez, and Deputy Foreign Minister Lyushun Shen (沈呂巡) were among those at the airport wishing the vice president a safe and successful journey.