Vice President Chen lauds successful visit to Dominican Republic

2016/08/23

Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice President Chen Chien-jen wrapped up his visit to the Dominican Republic Aug. 20, calling the trip exemplary of the effectiveness of the government’s steadfast diplomacy in expanding relations with the Caribbean country.

“The trip helped strengthen bilateral relations on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit,” Chen said. “It also helped enhance friendships with other countries and boost Taiwan’s international visibility.”

Chen made the remarks after touching down at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport following his Aug. 13-20 trip as the head of a delegation that included his wife Luo Feng-ping and senior government officials.

This was Chen’s first overseas visit since taking office in May. Representing President Tsai Ing-wen, Chen attended the Aug. 16 inauguration of Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina and Vice President Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, he took part in a reception and interacted with other heads of state and representatives. Chen also had bilateral discussions with Medina, Cedeno de Fernandez and Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales during his stay in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo.

During his stay, the vice president toured a solar power station set up by Taiwan’s General Energy Solutions in Monte Plata province and an orchid greenhouse built via investment funds from Taiwan. With a capacity of 67 megawatts, or 6 percent of the republic’s total power supply, the facility is the largest of its kind in the Central American and Caribbean region, and serves as a model for clean energy policymaking.

The vice president said the success of the two investment projects underscores the advantages of doing business in the Dominican Republic, calling on Taiwan firms to include the Caribbean country in their global expansion plans.

Chen also attended a luncheon hosted by Cristina Lizardo Mezquita, the first female president of the Dominican Republic Senate, and visited a care center for the disabled, as well as the headquarters of the nation’s emergency response system.

Before arriving in the Dominican Republic, Chen made a brief stop in New York, where he was welcomed by Joseph R. Donovan, managing director of the Washington Office of the American Institute in Taiwan. During his return trip, Chen made another stopover in New York, and attended a dinner party arranged by members of Taiwan’s expatriate community, with guests including AIT Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=247338&ctNode=2194&mp=9)