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Major speeches

President Tsai's remarks at banquet to thank Solomon Islands government and people

2017-11-02

I would like to thank Governor-General Frank Kabui, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, and the government and people of the Solomon Islands for your hospitality. I’m deeply impressed by your warmth and vitality.

My trip to visit Taiwan's Pacific allies, shared and witnessed by so many, is drawing to a close. I want to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiwan.

During this trip, Taiwan and the Solomon Islands have verified the achievements of many cooperative projects. This is "seeing and experiencing things first-hand," one tenet of steadfast diplomacy. I am confident that these projects have strengthened the friendship between Taiwan and the Solomon Islands.

During the current trip, in addition to the great warmth of the people of the Solomon Islands, I am also impressed by Taiwan's technical and medical missions. For example, a Taiwanese medical mission once went to great lengths and called on international resources to treat a child afflicted with severe hydrocephalus, which was very touching.

I am also impressed that Taiwan's technical mission helped Kaotave Vocational School in Guadalcanal Province improve student nutrition by implementing a food self-sufficiency program, and I’m proud that they cooperated with the Solomon Islands to develop SOLROC breeder pigs.

The members of Taiwan's medical and technical missions are respected experts in their fields. They have chosen to visit our allies and make the most of their expertise, helping Taiwan engage with the international community while making important contributions.

I am well aware of your contributions and efforts in the Solomon Islands, and deeply touched by your ideals and enthusiasm. Mr. Shiue Sheuan-Pyng (薛烜坪), head of the technical mission is a good example. I heard that your children have accompanied you to the Solomon Islands, and are attending school here. Please send my best regards to them, and let them know that what you and other mission members have done here has made Taiwan proud.

I’m confident that your expertise and enthusiasm have won the friendship and respect of the people of the Solomon Islands, and helped solidify the friendship between the two countries.

Our ongoing and future projects prove that Taiwan is an indispensable member of the international community. We can help our friends in a big way, and are obligated to do so.

I want to thank all of you who are working hard in the Solomon Islands for the contributions you make to Taiwan's front-line diplomacy, including the embassy staff, members of our technical mission led by Mr. Shiue, and members of our medical mission from Kaohsiung Medical University.

Let's give them a big round of applause.

If Taiwan is to engage with the rest of the world, we will need the support of our friends, and the public and private sectors have to work hand-in-hand. Our embassy, as well as our technical and medical missions, all represent Taiwan. For the people of the Solomon Islands, everything you do creates their image of Taiwan. Please keep up the good work! Our government will give you the utmost support.

Lastly, I want to thank Governor-General Kabui, Prime Minister Sogavare, and all the other "old friends of Taiwan" in the Solomon Islands for your staunch support over the years, and for taking a principled stand at international venues in defense of Taiwan's right to participate in international organizations. Looking to the future, Taiwan will continue working with the Solomon Islands to achieve sustainable global development.

On this happy occasion, please join me in a toast to the lasting friendship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Solomon Islands. Thank you for everything you've done for Taiwan. Thank you.

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