President of the Republic of China, Tsai Ing-wen, visited the South Pacific allies, meeting with President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the afternoon of December 3rd. Heine emphasized that the Marshall Islands will continue to be Taiwan’s staunchest ally. Tsai Ing-wen expressed his hope to face various challenges together with the Marshall Islands in the international arena and work together to deepen the friendship between the two countries.
President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the three South Pacific allies on the “Prosperous Southern Island, Sustainable Wisdom” tour arrived at the first stop in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on December 3rd. During his speech at the Marshall Islands Parliament, he expressed his anticipation for Taiwan and the Marshall Islands to jointly uphold the spirit of oceanic peoples and create a sustainable future for their nations. Tsai Ing-wen also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Majuro Government Building project, posing with dignitaries holding shovels in front of a board featuring the flags of Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, symbolizing the launch of the project.
President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by his Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, Pan Meng-an, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, Chairman of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Ljaucu‧Zingrur, Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Zhang Dunhan, and Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Summer Chang, met with President Hilda C. Heine of the Marshall Islands, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko, Minister of Environment Bremity Lakjohn, Minister of Finance David Paul, Minister of Transportation Hilton Kental, Minister of Education Joe Bejang, and Minister of Justice Wisley Zackhras.
During her speech, President Heine first expressed her welcome on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and was delighted to meet with President Tsai and the visiting delegation. She mentioned her visit to Taiwan in May, where she attended President Tsai’s inauguration ceremony, expressing gratitude for the warm reception from President Tsai and the Taiwanese government and people.
President Heine pointed out that President Tsai’s visit affirmed the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries, which has strengthened over the past 26 years, with both sides looking forward to further deepening their ties. She reiterated that the Republic of the Marshall Islands will continue to be Taiwan’s most steadfast ally, advocating for Taiwan in the United Nations and other international organizations. She once again welcomed President Tsai’s visit and looked forward to future exchanges and dialogues.
President Tsai Ing-wen, in his address, first thanked President Heine and the ministers for attending the meeting, enabling both sides to exchange views on various issues. He stated that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands are supportive friends of each other, cooperating internationally to face various challenges and sharing the culture of Austronesian peoples, resembling a family bond.
Tsai Ing-wen mentioned their gratitude for President Heine’s vocal support for Taiwan’s international participation at various events, including the Pacific Islands Forum in August, the United Nations General Assembly in September, and the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November. He expressed the deepest appreciation on behalf of the people of Taiwan, thanking President Heine for her commitment to continue advocating for Taiwan internationally. He highlighted President Heine as the first female president of the Marshall Islands and the first female leader of a Pacific sovereign nation, known for her longstanding advocacy for women’s rights and addressing the impacts of climate change, which is admirable.
He emphasized that over the years, Taiwan and the Marshall Islands have laid a solid foundation for cooperation, whether in promoting women’s empowerment or addressing climate change. He hoped for both countries to continue creating more cooperative outcomes in various fields and looked forward to mutual exchange of views to further strengthen their friendship.
President Tsai Ing-wen then attended a state banquet hosted by President Hilda C. Heine of the Marshall Islands. He noted that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share the Austronesian culture, value democracy and freedom, and are truly a family, hoping for the enduring deepening and renewal of the friendship between the two countries. “Taiwan and the Marshall Islands have many similarities: we are both maritime nations, oceanic peoples who share Austronesian culture; we are a family who equally cherish democracy and love freedom; we share a deep bond, common ideals.”
President Heine expressed her great honor that President Tsai chose the Republic of the Marshall Islands as his first visit following his inauguration. Despite the vast Pacific Ocean that separates the two countries, they share many traditions and cultures, and over the 26 years since establishing diplomatic ties, the relationship has deepened continuously, with shared values of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and respect for a rule-based world order, along with exchanges in education, women’s empowerment, agriculture, healthcare, the environment, and culture.
President Heine reiterated that the Marshallese government is determined to support Taiwan and its 23 million people. During her attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in September, she advocated for Taiwan, supporting its meaningful participation in the UN system. She stressed that if the UN believes that no one should be excluded, it should recognize Taiwan’s efforts and partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals together.