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On the morning of May 21, President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rick Nelson Houenipwela and Mrs. Houenipwela with full military honors. The president stated that the friendship between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands is stable, and thanked the Solomon Islands for speaking out on Taiwan's behalf at the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA). Taiwan and the Solomon Islands will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation based on mutual assistance for mutual benefits, enhancing the wellbeing of people in both countries.
The military honors ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office Building. Following a 19-gun salute, playing of the two countries' national anthems, and a military review, President Tsai and Prime Minister Houenipwela each delivered remarks.
In her remarks, President Tsai said it was an honor to welcome Prime Minister Houenipwela and his delegation with full military honors for his first visit to Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, she then extended a sincere welcome to our friends visiting from afar.
President Tsai expressed confidence that by coming to Taiwan and seeing our country in person, Prime Minister Houenipwela and the other government officials would certainly experience the enthusiasm of Taiwan's people and our country's multicultural beauty.
The president pointed out that since Prime Minister Houenipwela took office, he has already cooperated with Taiwan in launching new projects involving healthcare training, a meteorological early warning system, and literacy education. These projects show that Taiwan and the Solomon Islands have a firm and stable friendship that will only grow stronger with time.
President Tsai noted that this year's WHA was set to begin that same day, and the Solomon Islands Minister of Health and Medical Services would support Taiwan during the proceedings, speaking out along with other international friends on Taiwan's behalf. So she thanked our friends from the Solomon Islands on behalf of the people of Taiwan.
President Tsai emphasized that Taiwan is willing and able to participate in global health affairs, and do its part for public health and the health of all humankind. The people of Taiwan should not be excluded from the global disease prevention network, she said, adding: "The world needs Taiwan, and Taiwan needs the world."
The president pointed out that Taiwan and the Solomon Islands are both maritime nations, forever linked by the sea, and that mutual cooperation will continue to expand based on mutual assistance for mutual benefits, enhancing the wellbeing of people in both countries.
Following President Tsai's remarks, Prime Minister Houenipwela delivered remarks of his own, stating that this trip was especially significant because it marked his first visit to Taiwan. He expressed hope for developing a better understanding of the great nation of Taiwan including its people, history, culture, and economy. He was also looking forward to learning how the current and previous administrations have cultivated the core elements and constitutional system of Taiwan's democratic society. Many countries around the world now view Taiwan as a very prosperous and developed democracy, he said.
Prime Minister Houenipwela stated that even though Taiwan's leaders face many difficulties, they still champion an open and democratic system of government, and enjoy popular support. These factors have allowed Taiwan to transform its political environment and economy, and develop into one of the few nations to become a global leader in the computer chip, intelligent technology design, and manufacturing fields.
Among those on hand for the welcome ceremony were Vice President Chen Chien-jen, National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維), Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Minister of National Defense Yen Teh-fa (嚴德發), and the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.
