Today's inauguration of the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center marks a new step forward in the cooperation between Taiwan and Nauru. I'm very pleased to witness this important moment alongside President Baron Waqa and our partners from the Taiwan Technical Mission.
Taiwan has attached great importance to food and agriculture education in recent years. In addition to launching promotional projects, our government has also promoted legislation on food and agriculture education. With the establishment of this center, we can now share our food and agriculture education experience with our friends, allowing us to develop and move forward together.
Looking ahead, this important work will depend on the efforts of colleagues from the Taiwan Technical Mission. Over the years, we have achieved many successes by bringing Taiwanese agricultural technologies to Nauru. In addition to passing on your farming skills, you have helped provide a more varied diet, improving people's health and deepening our nations’ friendship.
Before setting out on previous trips, I've always said to Minister Wu that we must visit local Taiwan Technical Missions. And of course, coming here isn't just about listening to briefings. Our hope is to give mission colleagues—people on the diplomatic frontlines—as much encouragement as we can.
Last year, with the expertise and hard work of those at our Taiwan Technical Missions in mind, I asked Minister Wu to look into improving the benefits you all receive so we can take care of you all, as well as ensure we can retain talent.
Minister Wu informed me that starting from last year, the subsidies provided to technical mission personnel for housing and children's education have been brought into line with staff from other government units posted overseas, providing more support for your hard work far from home.
I would like to share with you some other good news I heard: Mission Leader Lee Yi-long (李宜龍) and his girlfriend, Huang Mei-chun (黃美君), met while serving together on the technical mission, and Mei-chun was also part of the delegation on this trip.
Having just heard Mr. Lee's briefing, I got a very favorable impression of him. Let Mei-chun make her own judgement on Mr. Lee's reliability. Since technical mission personnel are getting better benefits and higher salaries, the couple can really think about their future together.
Every time I go abroad, the achievements that stem from the hard work of Taiwan Technical Missions always leave a deep impression on me. On behalf of Taiwan, I would like to thank the technical mission personnel for your contributions. I also want to take this opportunity to thank President Waqa. The Nauruan government not only provides accommodation to our personnel here, but also fully supports and assists our bilateral cooperation projects.
As Taiwan and Nauru take the next step forward together today, I look forward to seeing the cooperation between our two countries yield even more new developments and accomplishments.