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On the afternoon of November 1 (Taipei time), Vice President Lai Ching-te visited a farm developed by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) technical mission in Palau. The vice president expressed appreciation for the technical mission's young, professional, hopeful, and motivated staff who have contributed to the welfare of the people of Palau by fulfilling their diplomatic, agricultural, educational, public health, and grassroots service functions.
After arriving, the vice president enjoyed ice cream made with fruit from the farm, following which Benjamin Tsai (蔡明哲), leader of the technical mission, introduced the members of his team and gave a presentation on their operations.
In remarks, Vice President Lai said he was happy to be in Palau and that the TaiwanICDF had arranged for him to visit the technical mission's demonstration farm, adding that Mission Leader Tsai's earlier presentation left him feeling very impressed with their work. The vice president said it is admirable that the leader and members of the mission are young people who have traveled all the way from Taiwan to Palau to contribute to the country. Noting that Mission Leader Tsai was with the eighth cohort of youth overseas service members, having previously served in the Marshall Islands and Nauru, the vice president said this shows the incredible motivation and courage of these young people.
The vice president then praised the technical mission for their professionalism, pointing out that aside from the demonstration farm's excellent horticulture, they have developed poultry and livestock farming as well as aquaculture. Adding that the technical mission also engages in volunteer work by visiting schools and communities to spread knowledge on preventing and treating diabetes, the vice president said the mission's work in fulfilling diplomatic, agricultural, educational, public health, and grassroots service functions is truly remarkable.
The vice president noted that the members of the technical mission are hopeful and motivated, and have high morale. Those at the demonstration farm, he said, are promoting the Poultry and Livestock Project and the Aquaculture Project in response to President Surangel S. Whipps Jr.'s goal of providing sufficient food to the people of Palau. He added that the demonstration farm has made advancing the welfare of the Palauan people its responsibility, a spirit worthy of recognition.
Vice President Lai said that he was deeply moved by his visit to the farm and that he greatly admires and appreciates the young members of the technical mission. He expressed hope that their resolve, professionalism, and success can serve as an example for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' efforts in other countries. The vice president said that the main goal of this visit is to thank Mission Leader Tsai, Chief Technical Officer Huang Tzu-hsuan (黃子軒), and all the colleagues at the farm on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen for their hard work and a job well done.
Shortly after, the vice president walked to the vegetable garden and listened to explanations at the dragon fruit, pearl guava, and wax apple growing areas, and at a taro conservation area.
Also in attendance were Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., Minister of State Gustav Aitaro, and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Steven Victor, as well as Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang (田中光), Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良), Ambassador to Palau Jessica C. Lee (黎倩儀), and TaiwanICDF Secretary General Timothy T. Y. Hsiang (項恬毅).
