It is a great honor and pleasure to be with so many leaders from Palau this morning. This lovely gathering reflects a true friendship that has deepened over the past few years.
And this friendship is also reflected in our shared values. As island nations, Taiwan and Palau both believe in freedom and democracy, and we both are committed members of the international community. In this interconnected world, distance need not be an obstacle, and oceans do not separate us—they bind us, actually, together.
So our commitment to freedom and democracy mean becoming more connected with like-minded countries around the world, and joining forces to tackle global challenges.
But it also means making sure that other countries are aware of our issues, our hopes, and our aspirations. So, our voice needs to be heard, loud and clear. And that makes friendship so important because in the international arena, we both benefit from mutual support.
So, since I took office 2016, I have witnessed firsthand how our bilateral cooperation has grown from strength to strength. From marine conservation to humanitarian aid, from economic cooperation to public health, Taiwan is very, very proud to work with Palau towards a more open and sustainable region. And we look forward to doing more with our brothers and sisters in the Austronesian family.
Over the past two days, my delegation and I have been deeply touched by the gracious hospitality of both the government and people of Palau. I'm very pleased and grateful to see that the Taiwan-Palau relationship is growing strong, and will continue.
And together, I trust we are going to experience a new period of closer cooperation, and ensure that this region becomes more free, open, and prosperous in the future. Thank you.