President Tsai's remarks aboard aircraft after departing on Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability
President Tsai Ing-wen departed at 12:15 p.m. on July 11 for the Caribbean on her Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability. In remarks delivered over the aircraft's public address system, she thanked her colleagues in the delegation, as well as the crew of the chartered China Airlines aircraft, for their efforts. She also encouraged the accompanying media delegation to let more people back home know that Taiwan has a good reputation in the international community through their reports.
The president noted that on this trip, she and her delegation would visit four of Taiwan's Caribbean allies—Haiti, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia—and would also transit through the US cities of New York and Denver.
The president first thanked her colleagues who planned the trip for all their hard work, knowing that many of them were under considerable pressure over the preceding two or three weeks, with many working late and sleeping little. To further Taiwan's diplomatic efforts, however, the president asked everyone to find another gear so that they can pull together, and give their best efforts over the coming 12 days.
President Tsai also specially thanked the journalists traveling with the delegation, and encouraged them to report back to the nation's citizens in detail about Taiwan's global efforts, so that more people will know that Taiwan has a good reputation in the international community.
President Tsai also thanked the China Airlines crew members for their attentive service, and said that everyone in the crew is also part of this trip's diplomatic team. As we work on the front line, she said, the crew provides our most important source of logistical support. Their service helps us have the energy and spirit to fulfil our mission, and give our best efforts to bring Taiwan out onto the global stage.
"After the plane lands," she said in closing, "our itinerary is packed. So let's all work together for Taiwan diplomacy."