No. 088
March 9, 2024
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Tien Chung-kwang, serving as special envoy of President Tsai Ing-wen, led a delegation from March 6 to March 8 to Pacific ally Tuvalu. Representing the people and government of Taiwan, he congratulated new Prime Minister Feleti Teo in person following the latter’s swearing-in ceremony and formation of a new government. The visit highlighted the cordial diplomatic partnership Taiwan and Tuvalu.
During his time in Tuvalu, Special Envoy Tien engaged in close, high-level interactions with the new administration. In addition to witnessing the formation of the government, he met with Governor General Tofiga Falani; Prime Minister Teo; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Development Panapasi Nelesone; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labor, and Trade Paulson Panapa; Minister of Health and Social Welfare Tuafafa Latasi; and other members of the Tuvaluan cabinet and parliament.
Special Envoy Tien offered felicitations to Prime Minister Teo on behalf of President Tsai, President-elect Lai Ching-te (who is also the incumbent vice president), and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu. He then extended an invitation to Prime Minister Teo to lead a delegation to the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan’s president and vice president, which the prime minister gladly accepted. The two sides also exchanged opinions on bilateral cooperation as well as the new Tuvaluan administration’s priorities.
Separately, Special Envoy Tien attended activities marking important bilateral cooperation projects, overseeing the donation of equipment for the Clean Energy Project and the Tuvalu Classroom AC Project as well as funds for the Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project. He then appeared at a ceremony to hand over mobility aids and other items. Such events showcased how Taiwan is working to improve Tuvalu’s climate resilience and benefit the disadvantaged of Tuvalu.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Taiwan and Tuvalu are close and supportive allies. In his remarks at one of the events, Special Envoy Tien thanked Tuvalu for its long-term support of Taiwan’s international participation. He described the bilateral friendship as based on fortitude, love, fidelity, and commitment, a message appreciated by the Tuvalu side. Governor General Falani, Prime Minister Teo, and members of the new cabinet stressed repeatedly to Special Envoy Tien that Taiwan’s delegation was the first to offer congratulations in person. The Tuvaluan government expressed gratitude to Taiwan for its contributions to Tuvalu’s national development, saying that it cherished the long-standing bilateral friendship and would maintain its stance on friendship with Taiwan and support Taiwan’s international participation, so as to further deepen enduring bilateral ties. (E)