Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of October 31 local time (4:00 a.m. October 31, Taipei time), President Tsai Ing-wen attended a breakfast meeting at her hotel with members of the expatriate community in the Marshall Islands. In remarks, the president stated that before coming to the Marshall Islands, she already knew there was a community of Taiwanese people working hard in this far-away country. She said she was very happy to have the opportunity to chat with them over breakfast.

President Tsai stated that many of those present had already been doing business and living in the Marshall Islands before the establishment of official diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, and in some cases even before the Marshall Islands achieved independence. The courage they displayed in doing so is something very admirable that the Taiwanese people can be proud of, she said.

President Tsai also stated that many Taiwanese people in the Marshall Islands have achieved success in their careers, made important contributions to local job opportunities and economic development, and taken active part in activities held by the ROC embassy. The president thanked them for all they've done to help promote friendship between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands.

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, and the president stressed that the Taiwanese government will continue to serve as a backup for the expatriate community by fully supporting the operations of the Taiwanese Association. In addition, the government hopes that the expatriates will work in unison to ensure that both Taiwan and the Marshall Islands become better and better.

And finally, President Tsai stated that the government has made a concerted effort over the past year to pursue reform and promote infrastructural development. Taiwan is progressing, and getting better every day, therefore the president expressed hope that everyone will often return to Taiwan to see how things are changing and give their encouragement. She also expressed confidence that those of us working and living overseas can appreciate better than anyone just how wonderful Taiwan is.

Among those on hand at the breakfast meeting were: Senior Advisor to the President Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏); Secretary-General to the President Joseph Wu (吳釗燮); National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥); Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee (李大維); Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中); Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Icyang Parod (夷將‧拔路兒); ROC Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Diann-wen Tang (唐殿文); legislators Kolas Yotaka (谷辣斯．尤達卡) and Lin Ching-Yi (林靜儀); Samuel Hsueh-Ming Lin (林學銘), a Coordinator from the Overseas Community Affairs Council; and Huang Ding-li (黃頂立), vice president of the Taiwanese Association in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.