President Lai attends reception marking 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

On the evening of August 12, President Lai Ching-te attended a reception marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In remarks, President Lai said that since establishing diplomatic relations 45 years ago, Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have always supported one another and walked shoulder to shoulder, upholding the spirit of mutual trust and benefits. The president pointed out that our countries have continued to deepen cooperation in such areas as talent development and infrastructure. He expressed hope that more young people will inject new energy into the collaboration between our nations, sustaining and strengthening our ties.

A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:

It is a great pleasure to join you today to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. I once again want to thank Prime Minister Godwin Friday and his wife Mrs. Kathryn Ave Friday for leading a delegation to visit us, demonstrating their deep friendship with Taiwan. I also express my gratitude to all our friends here tonight for consistently supporting the ties between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and for being here to witness this important moment.

We are both maritime countries. We share the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The distance between us has never been an obstacle to our genuine friendship. Just as Prime Minister Friday pointed out, the international situation has been in a state of constant flux over the past 45 years. The world has faced many challenges. But no matter how things have changed, Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have always supported one another and walked shoulder to shoulder, upholding the spirit of mutual trust and mutual benefit.

Prime Minister Friday and I are both very determined to broaden the horizons of the friendship between our countries as we look forward to an even more brilliant 45 years ahead. In recent years in particular, our countries have continued to deepen cooperation in such areas as industrial exchanges, talent development, and infrastructure. The Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital construction project, the Youth Farmers Training Project, and the Improving of Livestock Rearing Project have all produced tangible benefits for the Vincentian people and further cemented our friendship. Exchanges and cooperation as well as the affection between our peoples have also grown stronger, making Taiwan and Saint Vincent even closer partners.

The international community is currently confronted by formidable challenges, including expanding authoritarianism, climate change, public health issues, and digital security threats. No country can face these alone. Now more than ever, we understand that democratic partners must unite and work together - not just to advance their national development but to build a more robust international network so that we can jointly safeguard global democracy, peace, and prosperity.

Prime Minister Friday's visit, which comes as we hold our reception marking 45 years of diplomatic ties, reaffirms that Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hold the same ideals and objectives. We will continue to make progress together as we engage with and embrace the world.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the achievements of our 45 years of diplomatic relations. And there is no one who better exemplifies those achievements than Ambassador Kenton X. Chance. When he presented his credentials to me this year, he told me he had just turned 45 years old, meaning that he was born the same year our diplomatic bonds were forged. In 2006, Ambassador Chance came to Taiwan to study. This year, he returned as ambassador. He is living proof of our bilateral cooperation in education and shows how our friendship has been sustained and gradually strengthened by generation after generation of young people.

Tonight, we are joined by representatives of Vincentian students in Taiwan. I want to tell everyone who came here for studies or exchanges that your participation and dedication all point to a future full of hope for our relations. We look forward to more young people bearing witness to and engaging in diplomatic relations, injecting new energy into the collaboration between our nations. And I hope that all the young people who come here grow to treat Taiwan as a second home, and see us all as one family.

I am convinced that through our joint efforts, Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will not only be able to respond to global changes but also create new opportunities amid challenges. Lastly, on behalf of our government and all the people of Taiwan, may our diplomatic bonds only grow stronger with time. And may you all enjoy success, good health, and domestic happiness.

Also in attendance were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble; Attorney General Sarah Louise Mitchell; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Lucia Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis; and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.