President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of November 5 with Tuvaluan Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga and Mrs. Sopoaga. In addition to thanking Prime Minister Sopoaga for speaking on behalf of the ROC in many international venues, the president also explained some of the substantive successes associated with cooperation projects between the two countries.
In remarks, President Ma congratulated Prime Minister Sopoaga for his electoral win in August of this year, and welcomed the couple to Taiwan on behalf of the government and people of the ROC. The president also mentioned that Prime Minister Sopoaga previously served as Tuvalu's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and during his tenure frequently expressed support for the ROC's participation in UN activities. President Ma noted that during the 21st Taiwan/Republic of China – Forum Countries Dialogue held this September between the ROC and members of the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Sopoaga recognized the longstanding contributions by the ROC in promoting cooperation projects among its allies and friends in the South Pacific. The president said he deeply appreciates this gesture.
President Ma remarked that the ROC and Tuvalu established formal diplomatic ties 34 years ago in 1979. Tuvalu is the oldest ally of the ROC in the South Pacific, he said, adding that the two countries maintain a solid alliance and cooperate closely on projects in a variety of fields, including agriculture and fishing, medicine and health, environmental protection and clean energy, food safety, and vocational training. In addition, the president recalled that he saw for himself the beauty of Tuvalu and the warmth and hospitality of its people during a visit to the South Pacific nation three years ago, adding that the trip made a deep impression on him.
President Ma also pointed out several achievements resulting from bilateral cooperation. First, some 90 students from Tuvalu have come to Taiwan to participate in short-term training workshops under a program started in 2008, he said. In addition, to strengthen fisheries cooperation with Pacific allies, the ROC in 2010 commenced the Pacific Regional Observer Program for allies from the Pacific region. Under this project, Tuvalu has already sent 15 individuals to Taiwan for training, he noted. The president also pointed out that Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. has since 2007 employed 12 Tuvalu nationals annually in its fleet. These talented individuals will take the know-how they acquire back to Tuvalu and effectively generate more employment opportunities there. Noting that this year's Pacific Islands Forum adopted the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership, the president said that the ROC is willing to cooperate with its Pacific allies to address the threat of climate change, and will also continue to promote clean energy and other related projects in Tuvalu.
President Ma noted that the ROC each year dispatches medical missions to Tuvalu to provide free clinical services, and in October of last year initiated the Taiwan Medical Program, under which Chung Shan Medical University sends medical personnel to Tuvalu to provide services for longer periods at various clinics. This bolsters the capabilities of Tuvalu's hospitals and enhances public health, he commented, adding that the ROC welcomes Tuvalu to send some of its cases to Taiwan for care, as is currently done by the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands. President Ma also explained that to help its allies cultivate skilled medical personnel, Taiwan has opened the School of Medicine for International Students at I-Shou University. Presently, he said, 33 students from allied nations are studying in Taiwan under this program. While the program doesn't now include any students from Tuvalu, the president stated, he hopes that the Tuvalu government will select students to take part in the program. Graduates of the program will be able to help improve the development of health care in their respective nations when they return home, he said.
President Ma mentioned that four years ago when Taiwan experienced devastating mudslides and flooding after Typhoon Morakot, the government of Tuvalu generously donated US$210,000 to the relief effort, equivalent to 1% of Tuvalu's GDP that year, a gesture of friendship that the people of Taiwan will always remember. The president also thanked Prime Minister Sopoaga for the strong support by the Tuvaluan government for Taiwan's participation in the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This year marked the first time since the ROC lost its representation in the UN 42 years ago that it was invited to participate in the ICAO Assembly, he said.
Lastly, President Ma pointed out that the people of Tuvalu have many similarities with Taiwan's indigenous tribes, such as similar languages and customs. The president expressed hope that the two nations will continue to boost their cultural exchanges, thereby benefiting the public in both the ROC and Tuvalu.
The delegation also included Tuvalu Minister of Foreign Affairs Taukelina Finikaso and Mrs. Finikaso, and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Maatia Toafa and Mrs. Toafa. The group was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Tuvalu Ambassador to the ROC Minute Alapati Taupo to meet with President Ma.