Vice President Chen arrives in Palau, tours Taiwan-Palau friendship night market
Vice President Chen Chien-jen, accompanied by his wife, flew to Palau on December 28 as President Tsai Ing-wen's representative to attend celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Palau.
The vice president and his delegation arrived at Palau's Roman Tmetuchl International Airport at 6:20 p.m. local time. Palau Minister of State Faustina Rehuher-Marugg boarded the aircraft to greet the vice president, who was then welcomed by Palau Vice President Raynold Oilouch and Mrs. Oilouch, as well as the Palauan Ambassador to Taiwan Dilmei Louisa Olkeriil, at the airport's VIP lounge where they exchanged warm greetings. Taiwanese expatriates were also present at the airport to welcome the vice president.
Vice President and Mrs. Chen then proceeded to Bethlehem Park, accompanied by Vice President and Mrs. Oilouch, where they took part in Taiwan-Palau friendship night market activities organized by the ROC Embassy in Palau.
As part of the night market activities, the ROC Embassy invited Taiwanese expatriates and local citizens to set up stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as local specialties (including confections and shish kebabs) and Taiwanese specialties (such as bubble tea, salt-roasted calamari, fried chicken, and roselle tea). The night market provided local residents an opportunity to try out Taiwanese treats.
After arriving at the night market, the vice president visited the stalls one by one to taste-test the foods on offer and ask expatriates about their lives in Palau. Shortly thereafter, Vice President and Mrs. Chen watched a traditional song-and-dance performance by local women, and a performance by the Nibun Chorus (an indigenous singing group from the Liugui area of Kaohsiung). Tsun-Hui Hung (洪充惠) and Wei-chun Chang (張惟鈞) then performed two Taiwanese folk songs—"Longing for the Spring Breeze" and "Peach Blossom Takes the Ferry"—on the erhu in a festive atmosphere.
Palau Vice President and Mrs. Oilouch and ROC Ambassador to Palau Wallace M.G. Chow (周民淦) were among those accompanying the vice president at the night market.