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At noon on October 29, 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 Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Prime Minister Pierre for leading a delegation to visit Taiwan, and stated that Taiwan and Saint Lucia continue to deepen cooperation in such areas as agriculture, culture, and youth development. The president also expressed hope that in the future, more young people from Taiwan and Saint Lucia will travel to each other's countries to learn, live, and engage in exchanges so that the nations' friendship can be passed on from one generation to the next.
A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:
I once again thank Prime Minister Pierre for traveling such a great distance to lead a delegation to visit us. This is the first time that the prime minister's entire family has accompanied him to Taiwan, making this exchange all the more memorable and meaningful. I hope that, alongside the official itinerary, this trip will create some wonderful family memories for the prime minister and his loved ones.
The dishes our guests are about to enjoy feature cucumber, pineapple, seedless watermelon, and dragon fruit. These are all agricultural products that our countries have promoted together over the years. We have been glad to help the Saint Lucian farming community enhance production skills and advance people's well-being.
Yesterday, October 28, was International Creole Day. Every October, Saint Lucia observes its own Creole Heritage Month – a celebration that honors the nation's bountiful cultural traditions through music, dance, food, and language. And the last Sunday of October is Creole Day. This year, the Embassy of Saint Lucia held a special event on the same day to introduce Taiwan to Saint Lucia's unique culture.
Prime Minister Pierre has always attached great importance to youth development. When we met in 2024, we had an in-depth discussion about how to create more opportunities for the younger generation. And over the past two years, even more young Saint Lucians have come to Taiwan to study and pursue advanced degrees as part of the Taiwan Scholarship Program. We have also launched the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, which supports Taiwan's young people in broadening their horizons by visiting Saint Lucia. I very much look forward to more of our young people traveling to each other's countries to learn, live, and make friends. This way, our nations' friendship can be passed on from one generation to the next.
To conclude, may the diplomatic friendship between our two nations steadily grow and flourish, and may both our peoples enjoy happiness and good health. I hope you all enjoy today's banquet.
Prime Minister Pierre then delivered remarks, saying that, having come here four times in less than five years, he considers Taiwan his home. He thanked President Lai for taking the time to receive the delegation. He noted the similarities between the two countries, and said those similarities would manifest themselves in the food they were about to eat, some of which is also grown in Saint Lucia.
Prime Minister Pierre said he looks forward to developing and growing that friendship, and that Taiwan can depend on Saint Lucia to foster goodwill, non-interference, and democratic values. Let the friendship grow, he said, and let the peoples of both countries benefit from it. He emphasized that what Taiwan has done over many years for Saint Lucia is appreciated by the people of Saint Lucia.
In closing, Prime Minister Pierre again thanked Taiwan for its excellent hospitality to the delegation. He said he looks forward to enjoying the country and extended a sincere invitation to President Lai to visit Saint Lucia at his convenience.
Also in attendance at the banquet were Saint Lucia Attorney General Leslie Mondesir, Senator Allison A. Jean, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Lucia Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis.
