President Tsai meets Saint Christopher and Nevis Governor-General Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton
During her meeting with Saint Christopher and Nevis Governor-General Tapley Seaton on the morning of October 11, President Tsai Ing-wen said she hopes the governor-general will continue to exert his influence and fully support Taiwan so that together, both countries can contribute more to the international community.
President Tsai opened her remarks by welcoming the visitors to Taiwan and the Presidential Office. Taiwan was the first country to establish diplomatic ties with Saint Christopher and Nevis, she said, and Governor-General Seaton played an important role in that process. The governor-general accompanied Mr. Kennedy Simmonds, the first prime minister and a national hero in Saint Christopher and Nevis, on a trip to Taiwan in 1983, before Saint Christopher and Nevis had gained formal independence. Governor-General Seaton also made another visit in 1987.
The president pointed out that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the independence of Saint Christopher and Nevis. Governor-General Seaton's visit to Taiwan, 30 years after his last visit, to participate in our National Day celebrations is of tremendous significance for bilateral relations, and on behalf of the people of Taiwan, President Tsai extended a sincere welcome.
Last month, the president said, to mark the Independence Day of Saint Christopher and Nevis, a steel drum band traveled with Vance Amory, the country's Senior Minister and Minister of Nevis Affairs, Labor, Social Security and Ecclesiastical Affairs, to Taiwan to perform and conduct exchanges. Taiwan, meanwhile, sent a military honor guard to Saint Christopher and Nevis to take part in their independence day celebrations. These mutual visits show that both sides truly value our diplomatic partnership.
President Tsai mentioned that bilateral cooperation has continued to grow over the past two years, achieving good results through joint projects in fields like ICT, education and culture, and we are also initiating new programs. For example, last year we began a Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Kidney Disease in St. Kitts and Nevis to strengthen prevention mechanisms for chronic kidney disease. And this year, we have initiated a St. Kitts and Nevis Enhancing Agricultural Adaptive Capacity to Climate Variability Project to promote their agricultural sector's ability to respond to climate variability.
Through various cooperative programs, the president said, the partnership between Taiwan and Saint Christopher and Nevis has become increasingly close. The Taiwan government also organized an investment mission to Saint Christopher and Nevis and encouraged Taiwanese businesses to set up local operations. This not only creates new business opportunities, but also deepens our diplomatic friendship.
President Tsai thanked Saint Christopher and Nevis for its long-standing support for Taiwan's international participation. She mentioned that Prime Minister Timothy Sylvester Harris spoke up for Taiwan during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly last month, for which the president extended her deepest gratitude.
The visit by Governor-General Seaton, President Tsai said, shows his country's support for Taiwan. The president expressed hope that he will continue to exert his influence and fully support Taiwan so that together, both countries can contribute more to the international community.
President Tsai closed her remarks by once again welcoming Governor-General Seaton to Taiwan to gain a first-hand understanding of how Taiwan has changed over the past 30 years, and experience the warmth of our people and the beauty of Taiwan.
Also attending the meeting was Governor-General Seaton's elder sister Marguerite Foreman.