Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the evening of November 12, President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office Building for Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, as well as his wife and the members of his delegation. President Tsai said she looks forward to even more cooperation projects between the two countries to benefit even more people.

In remarks, President Tsai stated that Taiwan and Palau will celebrate the 20th year of formal diplomatic relations in 2019, and that she was very happy to have a chance to host good friends from Palau. She hoped that this visit will give President Remengesau new ideas about bilateral cooperation projects, and that together, the two parties will achieve even more.

President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan and Palau have many successful cooperation projects, citing one example that is a favorite with the Palau public—the "Taro Processing Workshop" that Palauan First Lady Debbie Remengesau avidly supports.

The president said that taro is a staple food in Palau, and 70% of families there cultivate it, making it Palau's most representative local food product. In Taiwan, taro has long been cultivated by our indigenous peoples, and is used in a wide variety of foods enjoyed by all of our various ethnic groups.

President Tsai noted that experts from Taiwan have gone to Palau to teach at the "Taro Processing Workshop," showing participants how to make a variety of taro products including taro cake, ice cream, and bread. So the people of Palau can enjoy "Taiwan style" taro products, and also develop souvenirs, gift boxes, and a variety of commercial products, creating business opportunities. She expressed hope that the two countries can develop more cooperative projects like this that generate multiple benefits and enhance the wellbeing of Palauans.

The president pointed out that taro and yam dishes were specially prepared for the state banquet, using gourmet delights to welcome her guests that also symbolize our bilateral friendship. And like many traditional products, these foods taro and yams transcend oceans and link peoples together.

Finally, the president asked her guests to toast the diplomatic friendship between Taiwan and Palau. She also wished for prosperity and even stronger diplomatic ties for the two countries.

In his remarks which followed, President Remengesau first thanked the Taiwan government for its gracious hospitality. He pointed out the friendship between Palau and Taiwan goes beyond the 20 years of diplomatic relations to be celebrated next year; in 1983, the Taiwan Technical Mission was established in Palau, and it has since become a beacon to enhance his people's agricultural capabilities.

President Remengesau pointed out that as Palau moves forward with its nation building efforts, it must continue to broaden ties with its neighbors and the international community. This is important, he said, if Palau is to prosper as a nation. Palau must engage with the global community to learn from their experiences, and Taiwan has been both a good friend and brother to Palau. He added that Taiwan has long been an ally in Palau's efforts to achieve its goal of sustainable development. Palau will continue its cooperation with the Republic of China, Taiwan on bilateral, regional, and international affairs. Working together, he said, we can contribute to the international community.

Also present at the state banquet were Judicial Yuan President Hsu Tzong-li (許宗力) and his wife; Control Yuan President Chang Po-ya (張博雅); National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維); Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮); Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Chien-sin (劉建忻); ROC Ambassador to Palau Wallace M. G. Chow (周民淦) and his wife; Palauan Paramount Chief Reklai Raphael Ngirmang; Palauan Ambassador to the ROC Dilmei Louisa Olkeriil; and Nicaraguan Ambassador to the ROC William Manuel Tapia Aleman (head of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan).