President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, met with the Vice President of Tuvalu and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Panapasi Nelesone, on the 15th, along with his spouse. The meeting aimed to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and information communication technology, in order to promote peace and prosperity in the Pacific region.
On the afternoon of the 15th, President Lai Ching-te welcomed the Vice President of Tuvalu and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Panapasi Nelesone, and his delegation, which included Tuvalu’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labor, and Trade, Paulson Panapa, as well as the Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure Development, and Water Resources, Ampelosa Tehulu. The meeting was attended by Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, and Tuvalu’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Falea Lili, who accompanied them to the Presidential Office for the meeting with President Lai.
President Lai Ching-te expressed his gratitude for Vice President Nelesone and his delegation’s visit to Taiwan, highlighting the importance of deepening bilateral relations between the two countries. He mentioned that last year, during his visit to Tuvalu, he had the opportunity to meet with Vice President Nelesone and several other ministers, and he was delighted to meet them again. President Lai also thanked them for their warm reception of the visiting delegation.
President Lai Ching-te emphasized the cultural richness and warm hospitality of Tuvalu, as well as the significant support that Tuvalu has shown towards Taiwan. He thanked Tuvalu for its steadfast support of Taiwan’s international participation over the past decades, describing the relationship between the two countries as one of mutual support, akin to family, contributing together on the international stage.
During the meeting, agreements were made to further deepen the cooperation between Taiwan and Tuvalu through the signing of a “Labor Cooperation Agreement” and a “Recognition of Seafarers’ Training and Competency Certificates Agreement.” These agreements aim to broaden the scope of cooperation and strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
President Lai Ching-te highlighted that both Taiwan and Tuvalu are maritime nations that share the values of democracy and freedom. He emphasized the importance of standing shoulder to shoulder as partners, whether in safeguarding marine resources, addressing challenges posed by climate change, or resisting authoritarianism, with the shared goal of promoting peace and prosperity in the Pacific region.
President Lai expressed his optimism for further collaboration between Taiwan and Tuvalu in various fields, such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and information communication technology. He looked forward to opening a new chapter in the friendship between the two countries with the support of Vice President Nelesone and his delegation, aiming to make concrete contributions to regional development.
In his address, Vice President Nelesone expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended by President Lai during the visit. On behalf of the Tuvalu government and its people, he sincerely thanked the President and the Taiwanese people for their generous support and the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Vice President Nelesone highlighted Taiwan’s unwavering commitment to the bilateral relationship, emphasizing its crucial role in promoting shared values such as democracy, resilience, and sustainable development. From crucial developmental assistance to cooperation in areas like healthcare, education, and climate change resilience, Taiwan’s contributions have had a significant and far-reaching impact on the lives of the people of Tuvalu.
He also conveyed his gratitude to President Lai for Taiwan’s recent generous donation of shoes to the schoolchildren of Tuvalu, emphasizing that these gifts reflect Taiwan’s deep concern for the welfare of the younger generation in Tuvalu. He stated that these contributions were not only material support but also symbols of care, friendship, and hope for the future generation.
Vice President Nelesone emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a vision for sustainable development in the Pacific region. He expressed belief that the partnership between the two countries would continue to thrive and serve as a model of cooperation and unity within the region.