News & activities
News releases
On the morning of October 29, following a welcome ceremony with military honors for Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia and his wife, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, held bilateral talks with the prime minister at the Presidential Office. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Pierre for his high regard and support of Taiwan, and stated that in recent years, interactions between Taiwan and Saint Lucia in both the public and private sectors have become closer. The president said that Taiwan will continue to work with Saint Lucia to tackle all manner of challenges, creating better lives for the peoples of both countries and together making even greater contributions to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
I warmly welcome Prime Minister Pierre once again as he leads a delegation to Taiwan for the fourth time. Prime Minister Pierre is making this trip after assuming the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community in July. On behalf of all the people of Taiwan, I would like to thank him for his high regard and support of our nation.
I recall that the last time we met, Prime Minister Pierre was visiting Taiwan to attend my and Vice President Hsiao’s inauguration. On that occasion, we exchanged opinions on issues of mutual concern. I am delighted to be able to continue our dialogue today as we seek to expand our nations’ cooperation through an even more diverse range of exchanges.
Over the past two years, interactions between our two countries in both the public and private sectors have become closer. Next month, for example, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council will be in Saint Lucia for the 19th annual Taiwan-Saint Lucia Partnership Trade Show. More than 70 Saint Lucian companies will be participating alongside Taiwanese enterprises. This reflects the willingness and capacity of businesses on both sides to expand their markets and seek out cooperation.
In addition to our substantive collaboration across a variety of domains, Taiwan and Saint Lucia are also key partners in upholding freedom, democracy, and other universal values. Although Taiwan and Saint Lucia lie far apart, we have always cherished our genuine friendship. During the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Pierre once again publicly backed Taiwan’s full membership in the UN. As Taiwan seeks to proactively engage with the world, Saint Lucia’s staunch friendship has given us a profound sense of just how precious our alliance is. We are deeply grateful for this.
Taiwan has always believed that, in addressing climate change, public health, and other global challenges, no country can respond alone. Only joint engagement and experience sharing can yield effective solutions. Looking ahead, Taiwan hopes to continue working with Saint Lucia to tackle all manner of challenges, creating better lives for the peoples of our two countries and together making even greater contributions to global peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Prime Minister Pierre then delivered remarks, first extending his gratitude for the excellent hospitality offered to the delegation since their arrival, adding that it feels like returning home. He stated that in the 19 years of continuous friendship between the two nations, he has noticed that both peoples share similar experiences, including suffering from the effects of climate change. He indicated that Saint Lucia is currently experiencing a drought as a result of El Niño, making it necessary for the country to embark on the construction of an extensive rainwater harvesting system. The prime minister also noted that climate change has led to rising temperatures in classrooms, resulting in a need to make school environments more comfortable.
Prime Minister Pierre indicated that Saint Lucia is a small and open economy that continues to battle with the rising cost of oil in the world market. This affects every aspect of people’s daily lives, he said, including increases in electricity, food, and general living costs. To ensure that the Saint Lucian people have adequate food supplies, he went on, his government has placed emphasis on agricultural modernization and diversification to boost food production and food security. He noted that another initiative his government intends to pursue is renewable and alternative forms of energy, and that Saint Lucia hopes to continue the exchange of advanced smart agricultural practices with Taiwan.
The prime minister emphasized that the peoples of both Taiwan and Saint Lucia deeply value education. He then noted that the Saint Lucian government intends to make early childhood and special education free of charge for every citizen, equip school facilities with enabling technology, and create smart classrooms in most schools. Saint Lucia’s most treasured resource is its people, he said, extending appreciation to Taiwan on behalf of his country’s government and people for lending a helping hand in providing training, scholarship opportunities, and facilities for Saint Lucians. The prime minister stated that he looks forward to further cooperation between the two nations so that more opportunities can be provided for Saint Lucian doctors, young academics, students, and other skilled professionals to learn at Taiwan’s world-class institutions, continuing with exchange programs that will allow the citizens of both countries to learn from one another.
Prime Minister Pierre stated that because of Taiwan, they have learned that diplomacy, in order to be effective, must not just remain lost in the folders of signed accords and agreements – it must be felt daily as having brought some measure of meaningful change to the lives of the people they serve. He then emphasized that there is no better way to demonstrate mutual cooperation and partnership than through education and cultural investment. The prime minister went on to say that in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, Saint Lucia has proven itself a worthy ally. As our nations’ friendship strengthens, he said, the Saint Lucian people look forward to enhanced benefits and tangible, people-oriented projects, desiring to make Saint Lucia one of the best places to live and work in the Caribbean.
The delegation also included Saint Lucian Attorney General Leslie Mondesir and Senator Allison A. Jean. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Lucia Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis.
