Taipei, Oct. 9 (CNA) The governor-general of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the President of Nauru on Monday expressed gratitude to Taiwan for its assistance during separate meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in their ongoing visits to attend upcoming Republic of China (Taiwan) National Day celebrations.
Speaking during the meeting held in the Presidential Office, Susan D. Dougan, governor-general of the ROC’s Caribbean ally Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, said Taiwan is respected as a “global symbol of democracy and social resilience.”
She congratulated Taiwan’s government and people ahead of the 112th National Day on Oct. 10.
“We applaud the trailblazers of this nation [Taiwan] who strive to maintain economic stability despite numerous global challenges, and those who through research and dedicated work continue to develop cutting-edge technologies, infrastructure development, and public sector management to respond to the changing needs of the Taiwanese people,” she said.
Dougan added that both countries established diplomatic relations on Aug. 15, 1981, and that the historic move was based on “shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
“To date, this mutual respect and bond of friendship serve to cement bilateral arrangements and cooperation,” she said.
For the past 40-plus years, her country has benefited from support from Taiwan in all sectors, the governor-general said, adding that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will continue to support Taiwan in international organizations.
Meanwhile, Nauru President Russ Joseph Kun told President Tsai in the Presidential Office during a meeting held later on Monday that it was with “immense honor” that he was again visiting Taiwan to commemorate ROC National Day.
He extended the “most sincere greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the government of the ROC Taiwan” ahead of Double Ten Day.
He also extended his government’s gratitude toward Taiwan “for the invaluable assistance rendered to Nauru across various sectors including infrastructure, health, agriculture, education and shipping.”
“Taiwan has remained a steadfast partner of the Republic of Nauru, and instrumental in our economic progress and ambition,” the Pacific island leader told Tsai.
He applauded Taiwan for advocating peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and said that Nauru continues to see Taiwan as a model for advancing democracy, freedom, stability, and economic growth.
The two leaders are among the many foreign guests invited by the Taiwan government to attend this year’s ROC National Day events.
The largest foreign delegation attending this year’s celebrations is a 42-member Japanese parliamentary group that usually promotes Taiwan-Japan relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council delegation, led by its chair Keiji Furuya, arrived on Oct. 7 and will stay until Tuesday, the ministry said.