On October 29, 2024, Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, visited the Caribbean diplomatic allies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as a special envoy of the President, attending the 45th Independence Day celebrations of Saint Vincent. During his visit, he met with Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and participated in official events such as a reception hosted by the government of Saint Vincent.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated that Minister Wu, along with Prime Minister Gonsalves, jointly officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnos Vale Urgent Care Hospital. He also attended the opening ceremonies for the Orange Hill Farm Farmer Training Room and Cold Storage Room, which were constructed with Taiwan’s assistance, as well as the unveiling ceremony of the Rabacca National Livestock Breeding Farm Sheep Barn. Minister Wu also participated in the “Taiwan-Saint Glorious October Celebration Carnival”, reaffirming President Lai Ching-te’s firm commitment to deepening relations with Saint Vincent and highlighting the successes of Taiwan’s international aid witnessed by the people of Saint Vincent.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnos Vale Urgent Care Hospital, Minister Wu stated that the construction of the hospital is a significant project that highlights the close partnership between Taiwan and Saint Vincent. He believes that the hospital’s establishment will not only contribute to modernizing healthcare in Saint Vincent but also create numerous employment opportunities for the local population. In addition to the hospital construction, Taiwan is also promoting various infrastructure projects in Saint Vincent, including the modernization of the Kingstown Harbour, road improvements, and the construction of parliamentary and judicial buildings.
When meeting with Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan, Minister Wu personally presented the official letter of the special envoy and President Lai’s congratulatory letter on the 45th anniversary of Saint Vincent’s independence. Subsequently, accompanied by the Governor-General and her spouse, Minister Wu visited the Governor-General’s Residence and wrote in the guestbook, “Long Live the Taiwan-Saint Friendship!”, expressing his hope for the lasting sincerity of the friendship between Taiwan and Saint Vincent. Minister Wu praised Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan for her work with the Dougan Foundation in assisting girls who have dropped out of school, teaching them skills and opening up new opportunities in their lives.
At Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’s welcome reception, Minister Wu emphasized the fruitful outcomes of the bilateral cooperation projects between Taiwan and Saint Vincent over the 43 years since establishing diplomatic relations. He highlighted the significant collaborations in agriculture, information and communication technology, and public health. Minister Wu mentioned the mutual support demonstrated between the two countries during times of need – Taiwan offering assistance to Saint Vincent after the earthquake in Hualien in April, and Saint Vincent extending aid to Taiwan after Hurricane Beryl in July. This showcased the enduring friendship and mutual support between Taiwan and Saint Vincent.
Minister Wu reiterated President Lai’s commitment to democracy, peace, and prosperity as Taiwan’s national direction and its connection with the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with various government agencies, is actively promoting a comprehensive diplomacy strategy, utilizing Taiwan’s economic and technological advantages to engage with the world and uphold freedom and democracy in its constitutional system, ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region.
Minister Wu expressed gratitude to Saint Vincent for its longstanding support of Taiwan’s international participation, especially Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’s speeches at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, where he advocated for Taiwan’s voice and supported peace in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. He wished for the prosperity of both Taiwan and Saint Vincent, with the enduring friendship between the two peoples continuing to thrive.
The evening reception was attended by over a hundred dignitaries from Saint Vincent’s cabinet, civil society, non-governmental organizations, and business leaders, many of whom expressed their gratitude to Minister Wu for Taiwan’s assistance to Saint Vincent over the years and their support for the friendship between Taiwan and Saint Vincent.
During his participation in the activities at Orange Hill Farm, Minister Wu pointed out that the collaboration between Taiwan and Saint Vincent in agricultural technology has yielded significant results. The establishment of the Orange Hill Biotech Center has been a crucial pillar in advancing agricultural modernization in Saint Vincent over the years. Minister Wu also mentioned that Taiwan and Saint Vincent will launch a new agricultural cooperation program in 2025, introducing smart agricultural technologies with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity and encouraging young people to engage in agriculture.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated that the Republic of China and Saint Vincent established diplomatic relations in 1981, and over the past 43 years, various bilateral cooperation projects have achieved remarkable results. The strong friendship between Taiwan and Saint Vincent is based on shared values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights, as well as close cooperation in areas such as agriculture, food security, infrastructure, healthcare, information and communication technology, and women’s empowerment. The two countries are committed to strengthening their partnership for mutual prosperity and benefit on top of their solid foundation of cooperation.
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