Peter R. Adelbai, the new Ambassador from the Republic of Palau to the ROC, at 11 a.m. on the morning of August 22 presented his credentials to President Ma Ying-jeou at the Presidential Office. Besides expressing his cordial welcome and appreciation to Ambassador Adelbai on his arrival in Taiwan to take up his new position, the president also explained the progress in relations between the two countries in recent years. Other officials witnessing the ceremony included Secretary-General to the President Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Chin-tien Yang (楊進添).
In remarks, the president stated that Palau President Johnson Toribiong previously served as his country's ambassador to the ROC and that the governments and people of the ROC and Palau have for many years maintained a strong relationship. The appointment of Mr. Adelbai as the new ambassador demonstrates the high level of importance that President Toribiong places on the alliance between the two countries, he said. President Ma also noted that when he made a state visit to Palau two years ago, the beauty of the country's terrain, the warmth and friendliness of the people, and the tour of the jellyfish lake made a deep impression on him. In particular, he praised Palau for the importance it has placed on the preservation of its ecosystems, as well as its achievements in marine conservation and management. The nation has not only successfully maintained a clean environment and made itself a popular tourist destination, but also promotes proper environmental protection concepts among the public there, he said.
President Ma also mentioned that the ROC and Palau in recent years have engaged in cooperation and interaction in a number of fields, including agriculture, aquaculture, medicine, vocational training, and education. In addition, the number of direct flights between Taiwan and Palau has increased, helping to promote tourism. The president said that the ROC government will continue to promote bilateral cooperation and interaction, and is interested in further expanding the scope of cooperation.
The president also stated that about 50,000 overseas students were studying in Taiwan last year, or about 4.4% of all students here. The government is currently actively working on recruiting even more students from Southeast Asian nations with the hope of increasing the percentage of foreign students here to 10% by 2020. This policy is aimed at better utilizing Taiwan's educational resources, and enabling more students from Southeast Asia to receive higher education. The president said that besides enhancing international cultural interaction, this also will create a broader international perspective for Taiwan's students.
President Ma also expressed his deepest gratitude to Palau for speaking at many international venues in support of meaningful participation by the ROC in international activities and organizations. The president stated that the government will do its utmost to aid Ambassador Adelbai in carrying out his agenda, and he hopes that the alliance between the two nations in the future will become even stronger, with even more interaction and cooperation between the people of the two countries.