Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the afternoon of June 8 local time (afternoon of the same day Taipei time), during her visit to the Republic of Palau, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Taiwan-funded road project in Ngchesar State. In remarks, Vice President Hsiao stated that improved roadways will assist in stimulating economic growth and bolstering connectivity among states. She noted that together, Taiwan and Palau also hope to complete a major interstate road network on Babeldaob by 2028, building a brighter and more balanced future for Palauans.

A transcript of Vice President Hsiao’s remarks follows:

I’m delighted to join you for today’s meaningful ribbon-cutting ceremony. A well-developed road system helps to bridge the gap between urban and rural development, improving the lives of local people. I’m confident that this interstate road project will further connectivity and prosperity across Palau.

In fact, balanced development is not only a priority in our partnership with Palau – it is also President Lai [Ching-te]’s priority inside Taiwan. We want to ensure that our citizens living across our island, in different parts of the country, and in different occupations can grow and develop and enjoy the prosperity of our economy together. So balanced growth is an important priority.

Of course, Taiwan and Palau enjoy longstanding diplomatic ties based on shared values. And over the years, we have collaborated on many important initiatives benefiting both our countries and peoples. Taiwan continues to attach great importance to this bilateral partnership and is pleased to support Palau’s infrastructure development through annual assistance programs. To date, roads constructed with contributions from Taiwan account for approximately – I’m told – 68 percent of Palau’s existing transportation networks on land. This remarkable figure is a concrete testament to the unwavering trust, friendship, and cooperation between our two peoples.

Looking ahead, Taiwan is committed to supporting Palau’s development across all sectors and backing the visionary goals of President [Surangel S.] Whipps, [ Jr.]. Together, we hope to complete the major interstate road network on Babeldaob by 2028. Improved roadways will assist in stimulating economic growth and bolstering connectivity among states, building a brighter and more balanced future for Palauans. Through joint efforts, I’m confident that Taiwan-Palau relations will steadily grow and flourish, and that the friendship between our countries and our peoples will remain rock-solid.

And in closing, I’d like to thank you again for joining us, and I wish everyone the best of health, happiness, and success – and of course, smooth cruising along this road. Thank you. Mesulang!

Following her remarks, Vice President Hsiao and President Whipps proceeded with the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new road, marking the smooth and successful completion of its construction and a new chapter for transportation development in Palau.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Minister of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Paramount High Chief Reklai Raphael Ngirmang, Governor of Ngchesar State Jackson Doktok, Ngchesar State Delegate Rebecca Sebalt-Ngirmechaet, Ambassador-designate to Taiwan Gaafar J. Uherbelau, and Ambassador of Japan to Palau Kasahara Kenichi.