President Lai meets Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu
On the morning of October 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Tuvalu for speaking up for Taiwan at numerous international venues, and for its staunch support. Indicating that Taiwan and Tuvalu are both maritime nations, the president said that our nations will continue to address the challenges posed by climate change together and establish even closer collaboration in such areas as medicine and public health, agriculture and fisheries, and information and communications technology (ICT). President Lai stated that with resilience and courage, we will continue to defend freedom and democracy and ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
Talofa! [Greetings (Tuvaluan)] I extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Teo, who is visiting Taiwan for the second time since taking office this February. In May, he attended the inauguration ceremony for Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao and myself. On this occasion, he is the chief guest for our National Day celebrations. We are delighted that Tuvalu is part of so many of Taiwan’s most important moments. Prime Minister Teo, we are truly thankful for how much you value and support our bilateral relations.
Tuvalu spoke up for Taiwan at this year’s World Health Assembly and more recently at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), helping in our efforts to expand our international participation. At the UNGA, Prime Minister Teo actively urged the international community to recognize that UNGA Resolution 2758 does not preclude Taiwan’s participation in the UN system. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Tuvalu for its staunch support and assistance.
At the UNGA, Prime Minister Teo also described the double threat that Tuvalu faces due to climate change and sea level rise. Taiwan is a maritime nation as well, and we empathize deeply with Tuvalu. Having established a National Climate Change Committee directly under the Office of the President, we aim to combine the strengths of all sectors to enhance Taiwan’s adaptation mechanisms in response to extreme weather risks. And by boosting exchanges with other countries, we hope to share our experiences and policies.
In recent years, Taiwan and Tuvalu have cooperated on a number of projects, including the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project. And going forward, our nations will continue to address the challenges posed by climate change together. We will also establish even closer collaboration in such areas as medicine and public health, agriculture and fisheries, and ICT so as to mutually advance development and prosperity.
Taiwan and Tuvalu are just like brothers – or taina, as you say in Tuvaluan. Thank you once again for your visit, which will help continue to deepen our diplomatic alliance. With resilience and courage, we will continue to defend freedom and democracy and ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region. I wish you all a fruitful and successful trip.
Prime Minister Teo then delivered remarks, first conveying to President Lai and the people and government of Taiwan congratulations on our 113th National Day to be celebrated on Thursday. He indicated that Tuvalu shares the same month for its national day celebrations, having celebrated their 46th Day of Independence just the past week.
Prime Minister Teo said that this is his second visit to Taipei. The first was his first overseas visit as prime minister, he noted, and he had come to witness President Lai’s inauguration. Prime Minister Teo said that he is doubly more honored this visit, as he was invited to be chief guest for this year’s National Day celebrations.
Prime Minister Teo indicated that when his government was inaugurated in February, it immediately announced 21 priorities, one of those being to elevate and advance its relationship with Taiwan to a more comprehensive and integrated relationship. Our diplomatic relationship dates back to 1979, the prime minister said, which is the year just after Tuvalu gained independence. This year, he noted, we have celebrated 45 years of trusted friendship, and in the Pacific, Tuvalu is Taiwan’s oldest diplomatic ally. The prime minister said that our relationship is grounded firmly on democratic principles and values, which include respect for the rule of law, respect for democratic institutions and the doctrine of the separation of powers, and mutual respect for the integrity of national sovereignty.
Prime Minister Teo stated that at the annual meeting of the UNGA, he made a very strong statement in support of Taiwan’s reintegration into the UN and related international systems. The UNGA’s main theme this year is to not leave anyone behind, he emphasized, so it was quite hypocritical for the UN system to not include Taiwan. The prime minister also remarked that there is nowhere in UNGA Resolution 2758 that makes any reference to Taiwan, and said that as long as he is in office, he and Tuvalu will continue to advance that strong advocation in support of Taiwan’s participation and reintegration into the global system.
The prime minister went on to discuss the top priority and challenge of climate change – in particular, climate change-induced sea level rise, explaining that Tuvalu’s response to sea level rise is the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project and saying he is very grateful for Taiwan’s continued support. With Taiwan’s reinvigorated climate efforts, he said, he looks forward to future cooperation. Prime Minister Teo then acknowledged the other types of assistance that Taiwan has provided in terms of training and scholarships.
Prime Minister Teo concluded his remarks by thanking President Lai once again for the invitation to serve as chief guest in the Double Ten celebration, saying that he and his delegation very much look forward to the event and reiterating Tuvalu’s congratulations and best wishes for our 113th National Day.
The delegation also included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Paulson Panapa.