President Tsai inaugurates new ROC embassy building in Paraguay, receives key to city from Asuncion mayor
On her first visit to ROC diplomatic ally Paraguay, President Tsai Ing-wen proceeded on the afternoon of June 28 at about 3:00 p.m. local time (about 3:00 a.m., June 29, Taipei time) to the newly built ROC embassy in Paraguay to inaugurate the new building and receive a key to the city of Asuncion from Mayor Mario Ferreiro as a token of friendship between the two countries.
After arriving at the ROC embassy, President Tsai watched a dragon-and-lion dance in the building's entrance lobby and handed out red envelopes (cash gifts) to the performers. Following the performance, the president inaugurated the new building in the company of Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee (李大維), ROC Ambassador to Paraguay Alexander Tah-Ray Yui (俞大㵢), Paraguay Minister of Foreign Affairs Eladio Loizaga, and Asuncion Mayor Ferreiro.
In remarks, President Tsai stated that Paraguay is one of Taiwan's most important diplomatic allies. Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the inauguration of the new embassy signifies that bilateral ties have reached a new milestone.
President Tsai stressed that the pursuit of reciprocal benefits and mutual assistance is an important part of Taiwan's diplomatic work, and that Taiwan will continue to strengthen exchanges with Paraguay. She called upon embassy personnel to redouble their efforts to ensure that exchanges between the two countries yield even better results and bilateral ties become even closer and more stable. In particular, one of the most important missions of the embassy is to serve and protect expatriates so that they can lead secure and decent lives, the president said. By inaugurating the new embassy building in her capacity as president, she hoped to show all expatriates that the government stands behind them, and hopes to provide even better opportunities for development so as to further enhance Taiwan-Paraguay diplomatic relations.
President Tsai also mentioned that Taiwan's new embassy in Paraguay enjoys an excellent location and access to key transportation arteries. In the future, many banks and other companies will be moving into the area. A lot of construction projects are currently underway near the new embassy, a clear indication that Paraguay's economy is strong, she said. In closing, President Tsai conveyed her best wishes for a bright future and lasting alliance for the two countries.