Vice President Wu Den-yih at 10:30 a.m. on August 16 local time (10:30 p.m. on August 16 Taipei time), headed to the Dominican Republic Congress to witness the inauguration proceedings of President Danilo Medina Sanchez and Vice President Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez.
Vice President Wu, wearing a formal white suit for the event, was accompanied to the National Congress building by ROC Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Thomas Ping-Fu Hou (侯平福) and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Shen-Yeaw Ko (柯森耀). Vice President Wu was among representatives from over 70 countries, including 10 heads of state, such as Republic of Honduras President Porfirio Lobo, Republic of Haiti President Michel Martelly, Republic of Panama President Ricardo Martinelli, Republic of El Salvador President Mauricio Funes, and Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon of Spain, jointly witnessing the inauguration of the Dominican Republic's new president and vice president. Prior to the formal commencement of the ceremonies, Vice President Wu also held a brief discussion with Peru Vice President Marisol Espinoza Cruz.
President of the Senate Reinaldo Pared Perez presided over the ceremony. Following the playing of the national anthem of the Dominican Republic and remarks by President of the Senate Pared, President Medina recited the oath of office, following which he delivered his inaugural address. President Medina then greeted the public that had assembled outside the National Congress building. Vice President Wu and heads of state and high-ranking government officials from other countries then expressed their congratulations to President Medina and Vice President Cedeno in a Senate antechamber.
Shortly thereafter, Vice President Wu made his way to the Cathedral of Santo Domingo where he attended a mass held to celebrate the inauguration of President Medina and Vice President Cedeno. Vice President Wu was seated in the front row with other heads of state to witness the grand and stately ceremony.
As Haiti President Martelly is also attending the presidential inauguration, Vice President Wu earlier in the day found an opportunity to hold discussions with him. The two exchanged opinions on a broad range of issues, including bilateral cooperation and reconstruction after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti early in 2010. During the discussions, the vice president stated that the ROC immediately dispatched rescue and relief personnel to Haiti after the earthquake. Subsequently, the government and the private sector worked together on providing shelter to earthquake victims, and providing assistance in the areas of vocational training, medical treatment, public health, and care for children, thereby taking an active role in Haiti's reconstruction. President Martelly expressed his appreciation to the ROC for the assistance provided, and also said he hopes the ROC will continue to share its experiences in education and vocational training for enhancing bilateral ties.
In the afternoon, Vice President Wu returned to his hotel where he held a meeting with Republic of Guatemala Minister of Foreign Affairs Harold Caballeros. The vice president expressed his gratitude to Foreign Minister Caballeros for leading a delegation to Taiwan in May of this year to attend the inauguration of the 13th-term president and vice president of the ROC. He also remarked that the ROC and Guatemala maintain a stable alliance and that bilateral cooperation projects are progressing smoothly. Vice President Wu said he hopes that the two countries in the future will continue to strengthen interaction and cooperation in trade, economics, investment, and education.
In the evening, President Medina hosted a reception and banquet for heads of state and high-ranking government leaders at the National Palace. Vice President Wu, ROC Ambassador Hou, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ko attended the event, interacting and exchanging pleasantries with guests from other countries.