Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

At noon on May 21, President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by Vice President Chen Chien-jen and his wife, held a state banquet at the Presidential Office for Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rick Nelson Houenipwela, Mrs. Houenipwela, and their delegation. During the banquet, President Tsai said that Taiwan and the Solomon Islands are linked by their shared Austronesian cultural background, and expressed hope that the two countries can explore more opportunities for exchanges. We should not just maintain ongoing bilateral exchanges, but continue to evolve and progress, she said.

In remarks, President Tsai mentioned that during her visit to the Solomon Islands last year she told friends in the National Parliament that she hopes Taiwan and the Solomon Islands can build an even bigger vessel of friendship and, together, explore the wider world. The fact that Prime Minister Houenipwela has come to Taiwan after just a half-year in office, she said, is the best proof that we're developing sustainable diplomatic ties.

President Tsai mentioned that the Solomon Islands Minister of Health and Medical Services was scheduled to deliver an address at the World Health Assembly (WHA) later that same day, and would make a strong case for Taiwan's right to participate. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, the president again thanked the Solomon Islands for its strong support. We are also confident, she said, that the two countries will achieve more in the future through mutually beneficial cooperation.

Commenting on bilateral exchanges, the president stated that Taiwan and the Solomon Islands have already launched cooperative programs designed to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Kaohsiung Harbor and the Port of Honiara (capital city of the Solomon Islands) signed a sister port agreement last year, and we are now preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding on transport services. We will also continue moving forward in such areas as environmental protection, transportation, education, and agriculture, she said.

Turning to the subject of cultural exchanges, President Tsai stated that Taiwan and the Solomon Islands will have more cultural exchanges this year. For example, the Solomon Islands will hold the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival this coming July, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its independence. We congratulate the Solomon Islands, said the president, and will send an indigenous peoples' cultural delegation to perform at the festival. Taiwan will also reopen the Austronesian Forum on August 1, and the president invited the Solomon Islands to participate.

Noting that Taiwan and the Solomon Islands are linked by their shared Austronesian cultural background, President Tsai said she hopes that Prime Minister Houenipwela will learn more about Taiwan's richly diverse culture during his visit. She also expressed hope that the two countries can explore more opportunities for exchanges. We should not just maintain ongoing bilateral exchanges, but continue to evolve and progress, she said.

Finally, the president invited all the guests at the banquet to join her in a toast to wish Prime Minister Houenipwela good health, and expressed hope for lasting friendship between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands.

Following President Tsai's remarks, Prime Minister Houenipwela delivered remarks of his own. The prime minister first thanked the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its warm hospitality, and said that in a meeting a bit earlier, he and President Tsai had substantive discussions regarding bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Looking back on the 40 years since the Solomon Islands achieved independence and the 30-plus years of bilateral diplomatic ties, the prime minister was quite moved, and said the two sides have maintained bilateral relations out of a shared commitment to the values of democracy and freedom, and a shared pursuit of security, peace, and prosperity. He also thanked Taiwan for the many years of support and assistance it has given the Solomon Islands in many different areas including the development of agricultural skills, enhancement of healthcare resources, cultivation of higher education personnel, climate change forecasting, and disaster response. These contributions have had a tremendous positive impact on the people of the Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Houenipwela said that Taiwan has made many substantive contributions to the international community in public health, education, elimination of poverty, the fight against corruption, and the response to climate change. In addition to thanking Taiwan for contributing to all of humankind, the prime minister also emphasized that the Solomon Islands will continue to support Taiwan's international participation.

Among those present at the state banquet were National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維) and Mrs. Lee, Examination Yuan President Wu Jin-lin (伍錦霖), Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), and ROC Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Roger Luo (羅添宏) and Mrs. Luo.