The bonds of friendship between Taiwan and Saint Lucia will proceed to deepen within the ensuing years as a number of programmes and tasks geared toward benefiting Saint Lucians proceed to be carried out.
That was the underlining sentiment expressed when the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) hosted a gala reception on the Sandals Golf & Nation Membership at Cap Property on Wednesday night, October 4, 2023, forward of Taiwan’s Nationwide Day, which will likely be noticed on October 10.
Invited visitors on the formal cocktail occasion included Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Financial Growth and the Youth Economic system, and Minister for Justice and Nationwide Safety, and partner, Ms. Marie Felix; Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor Common Emeritus; Hon. Claudius Francis, Speaker of the Home of Meeting; Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for Exterior Affairs, Worldwide Commerce, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs; Hon. Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Bodily Growth and City Renewal; Hon. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister for the Public Service, House Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs; Sen. Deale Lee; Sen. Dr. Allison Jean; Sen. Lisa Jawahir; Sen. Kaygianna Toussaint Charlery; amongst others.
October 10 bears nice significance to the folks of Taiwan because it commemorates the beginning of the Wuchang Rebellion on October 10, 1911, which finally led to the collapse of the imperial Qing dynasty and institution of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912.
In his remarks, His Excellency Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, used the event to focus on the sixteenth anniversary since Saint Lucia and Taiwan resumed diplomatic relations.
“Our nations are strong companions as a result of our peoples share comparable values and an analogous drive to maintaining pushing for progress,” mentioned Ambassador Chen. “2023 is the 12 months of the Rabbit — believed to represent prosperity. Properly, I’ve the pleasure of telling you all that the cooperation between Saint Lucia and Taiwan is extra fruitful than ever.”
He added: “In addition to our long-time agricultural, infrastructural, instructional cooperation and social initiatives, we launched three new tasks, together with the Group Enterprise Revitalization Challenge, the Utility of Info and Communication Know-how (ICT) in Digital Capability Constructing Challenge, and the Challenge for the Prevention and Management of Metabolic Continual Ailments in St. Lucia. All these tasks are targeted on enhancing Saint Lucians’ high quality of life and capability constructing in varied sectors.”
Ambassador Chen mentioned human capability constructing stays pivotal for a rustic’s sustainable improvement, including that, via coordination with totally different Authorities Ministries in Saint Lucia, workshops throughout all areas had been carried out to coach and encourage.
“Impressed by Hon. Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre’s manifesto “Youth Economic system”, we’ve additionally launched tasks with the Youth Economic system Company, hoping to assist unleash the unimaginable energy of younger folks and girls,” Ambassador Chen informed the viewers.
“As well as, Taiwan supplied 10 extra scholarships to Saint Lucian college students in 2023 — the best improve so far. 39 scholarship recipients have arrived in Taiwan to review. And, to take root downward and bear fruit upward, Taiwan donated 5,000 new Chromebooks to assist the One Laptop computer per Little one Program promoted by Hon. Prime Minister. The youngsters are the longer term, and needs to be supported with top quality investments.”
Ambassador Chen mentioned Saint Lucia continues to be a treasured accomplice of Taiwan on the worldwide stage, citing Hon. Minister Alva Baptiste strongly advocated Taiwan’s participation in ICAO and Hon. Minister Moses Jn. Baptiste’s name for Taiwan’s involvement in WHO actions, and that Taiwan be permitted to affix the World Well being Meeting as an observer. He additionally referenced Prime Minister Pierre’s name through the UN Common Meeting in September, the place Hon. Pierre spoke up for Taiwan’s proper to democratic freedoms and a spot in worldwide boards.
“I sit up for constructing on all our accomplishments and dealing with the Authorities of Saint Lucia to push onwards to even better heights,” mentioned Ambassador Chen. “If we unite in energy, we will transfer ahead collectively. I want a heartfelt Blissful Birthday to the Republic of China (Taiwan). And I want all the very best for the everlasting friendship and partnership between St. Lucia and Taiwan.”
Prime Minister Pierre congratulated the Authorities and other people of Taiwan on their 112th anniversary. He mentioned Saint Lucia’s friendship with Taiwan relies on the precept of non-interference within the inside affairs of the nations.
“Saint Lucia, as a rustic, reserves the correct to be associates with whom we wish,” Hon. Pierre mentioned. “Actually, we’re associates of all, and, as Errol Barrow mentioned, ‘associates of all, and satellites of none’. So our nation is happy with its friendship with Taiwan. Our nation will proceed to respectfully interact with respect with the folks of Taiwan.”
Hon. Pierre additionally thanks the Authorities of Taiwan for extending their generosity to Saint Lucia in some ways through the years: “The main target of our Authorities is placing folks first, and it’s a philosophy that we’re happy with. We’re proud in saying that the Authorities’s insurance policies should be primarily based on enhancing the standard of lifetime of the folks of the nation. The tasks which are being performed, the tasks which are being promoted by Taiwan, are aimed on the folks, geared toward enhancing the standard of individuals’s lives.”
The Prime Minister additionally referenced the Constituency Growth Programme (CDP), for which the Taiwanese Authorities gives funds which are used to undertake tasks that search to enhance the lives of Saint Lucians in all seventeen constituencies. He additionally mentioned the Youth Economic system, which can be sponsored by the Taiwanese Authorities, has had significant impact on the lives of younger folks.
“We’re very proud of what the Taiwanese are doing for our Youth Economic system,” mentioned Hon. Pierre.
He added: “We need to proceed this as a result of we wish younger folks to really feel that their abilities and expertise could make them marketable and create some employment for them. That’s the essence of the Youth Economic system.”
Among the many highlights of the night had been the slicing of the massive cake emblematic of the Taiwanese flag by the distinguished visitors, reside performances by native musicians equivalent to proficient violinist Michael Fletcher, the four-time Calypso Monarch Papa Vader and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, and sampling of delicacies from Saint Lucia and Taiwan, together with Taiwanese egg pancake, fried seafood, shaved ice, bubble tea, and so on.