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On the evening of August 11, following a welcome ceremony with military honors and bilateral talks, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office for Prime Minister Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Friday for his staunch support for Taiwan's international participation. The president also expressed hope that the two nations will continue to move forward side by side in the international arena, working together to make even greater contributions to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:
Tonight's state banquet honors our good friends who have traveled from afar to join us. It also celebrates an important occasion – 45 years of our nations' deep friendship. Prime Minister Friday, I would like to offer my congratulations. Since you assumed office last November, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has opened a new chapter in its development and actively advanced regional cooperation. You also served as rotating chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, underscoring St. Vincent and the Grenadines' influential role in the Caribbean.
Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines share the values of freedom and democracy, and both understand that the significance of a nation's existence lies not in its size. What matters most is its adherence to core beliefs, care for its people, and its international contributions and responsibilities. The motto “Peace and Justice” on your nation's coat of arms reflects these convictions and commitments; Taiwan also engages with the global community with this ideological foundation at its core.
Taiwan stands willing and able to participate in international organizations and activities to jointly address challenges worldwide. Prime Minister Friday, I thank you again for staunchly backing Taiwan's international participation. Moving ahead, I look forward to your continued support, which will enable both our nations to move forward side by side in the international arena. By working with countries around the world, we can contribute even more to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
In closing, please enjoy tonight's state banquet. May the diplomatic friendship between our two nations steadily grow and flourish, and may both our peoples enjoy happiness and peace.
Prime Minister Friday then delivered remarks, once again expressing his gratitude for the warm and generous reception his delegation had received. He pointed out that there are many ways for a country to welcome visitors, and while diplomatic protocol can make a visit official, only the people can make it feel special. Taiwan, he said, has made them feel welcome from the moment they arrived. He added that he is pleased to know what a profound ally they have in Taiwan, and that our nations' goals are so well-aligned.
Prime Minister Friday mentioned that a few months ago, he attended the launch ceremony for the Agricultural Productivity Recovery and Young Farmers' Training Project at the Orange Hill Agricultural Biotechnology Centre in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He recalled that during the tour of the facility, he saw farming conventions quite different from those of his generation, with various crops growing in controlled environments and technology helping to regulate water and growing conditions. He stated that he saw firsthand how modern science was being applied to something as old and essential as growing food. This project, he noted, brings together the Taiwan Technical Mission and his country's Ministry of Agriculture, using modern approaches to improve productivity and prepare a new generation of farmers. Adding that he saw Taiwanese knowledge taking root in Vincentian soil, he stated that one of the most valuable things countries can share with one another is knowledge. He then expressed hope that through this visit, they can see more of the innovation and creativity that Taiwan's people bring to their every endeavor.
Prime Minister Friday pointed out that for 45 years, Taiwan has been eager to share its knowledge and expertise with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is one of the best measures of a relationship between two countries. He noted that another aspect of the two countries' relationship is remembering each other when times are difficult. He stated that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has experienced this generosity from Taiwan, and when Taiwan was struck by a devastating earthquake in April 2024, his country also responded with humanitarian assistance, as it was critical to do whatever they could. This, he said, is what friends do: being present when the other is in need.
Prime Minister Friday expressed his belief that there is still much room for the peoples of both countries to know one another better. He noted that Taipei and Kingstown became sister cities on May 21, 2024 to encourage greater exchanges in education, tourism, culture, travel, and business. He stated that while the two capitals are certainly not identical sisters, both are incredibly well-connected, a fact that has become clear to him on this visit.
In closing, Prime Minister Friday expressed hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to create connections across all sectors. He then extended an invitation to President Lai to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines to see their islands, meet their people, and experience their culture, music, and food. The prime minister also expressed hope that the distance between the two countries will never limit the closeness of their connection, and that both nations will continue finding new and creative ways to support each other.
Also in attendance at the banquet were St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Attorney General Sarah Louise Mitchell, and Ambassador Kenton X. Chance.
