Vice President Lai attends welcome banquet hosted by President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. of Palau
On the evening of November 1 (Taipei time), Vice President Lai Ching-te attended a welcome banquet hosted by President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. of Palau. The vice president thanked President Whipps for accompanying the visiting delegation throughout its itinerary that day in a display of generous hospitality. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Palau will expand cooperation, work together to defend our shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, and uphold peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
After Vice President Lai arrived at Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, President Whipps accompanied him on a tour of booths displaying local crafts before they proceeded to the banquet.
Vice President Lai began his remarks by thanking President Whipps for inviting them to his beautiful country and for asking Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior to greet his delegation at the airport. He added that President Whipps, by accompanying the delegation throughout its itinerary that day, has demonstrated generous hospitality. The vice president said that he particularly appreciates that a banquet has been arranged to welcome the delegation from the Republic of China (Taiwan). Despite having only just arrived that day, he said he already strongly felt the hospitality of President Whipps, the closeness of the cooperation between Taiwan and Palau, and great hope for the future.
Vice President Lai said that when President Whipps introduced him to traditional Palauan culture, including traditional foods, fruit juices, medicines, and crafts, he clearly showed that Palau is a beautiful country with a rich culture. The vice president said that Taiwan looks forward to expanding cooperation with Palau, and that as fellow maritime nations, we should work together to address climate change, in addition to our joint efforts to uphold our shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights, and to maintain peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The vice president thanked President Whipps for his gracious hospitality, and mentioned that the administration led by President Tsai Ing-wen and the people of Taiwan deeply cherish our relationship with Palau. He noted that this is Taiwan's first official diplomatic delegation abroad since it lifted border restrictions on October 13 and that the delegation had arrived in Palau just 20 days after President Whipps last visited Taiwan. Our quick response, the vice president said, to the invitation from President Whipps, reflects our sincere friendship with Palau.
The vice president emphasized that, under President Tsai's instruction, and thanks to the efforts of Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications, twice-weekly flights between Taiwan and Palau will commence from November 16. He said that there is hope for an eventual increase to daily flights, as President Whipps has called for, so that more travelers can come to Palau.
Vice President Lai introduced the delegation members individually to the banquet guests, and pointed out that the members all have their own objectives for the trip related to medical services, tourism, investment, travel services, and baseball, among other areas. He added that this shows Taiwan's sincerity and the importance we place on the friendly ties between our countries. The vice president again thanked President Whipps for hosting the banquet and wished everyone the best of health and good fortune.
Also in attendance at the banquet were Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior of Palau, Senate President Hokkons Baules, House Speaker Sabino Anastacio, Paramount High Chief Reklai Raphael Ngirmang, Queen Bilung Gloria Salii, and Minister of State Gustav Aitaro, 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), and Ambassador to Palau Jessica C. Lee (黎倩儀).