President Tsai to visit Palau, Nauru and Marshall Islands

2019/03/13

President Tsai Ing-wen will depart March 21 on an official visit to ROC (Taiwan) Pacific allies Palau, Nauru and Marshall Islands, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 During a news conference March 12 at the Presidential Office, Deputy MOFA Minister Hsu Szu-chien said the eight-day trip underscores the importance the government attaches to the like-minded countries. It also follows repeated invitations extended by the leaders of the nations during recent visits to Taiwan, he added.

 According to Hsu, Taiwan and the countries share maritime traditions and cherish freedom, democracy and rules-based order. The trip also offers an opportunity for the heads of state to share respective experiences in promoting peace, sustainable development and inclusive prosperity, he said.

 Tsai’s itinerary includes meetings with Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr., Nauru President Baron Waqa and Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine. She will also address the Nauru parliament and visit medical missions and Taiwan businesses.

 While in Marshall Islands, Tsai is also set to deliver a keynote speech at the inaugural Pacific Women Leaders’ Coalition Conference convened by Heine March 26-27 in the capital Majuro.

 This will be Tsai’s sixth official trip abroad and second to the Pacific since taking office in May 2016, following the visit to Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in October 2017.

 She is to be accompanied by a delegation of government officials and legislators, including MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, National Security Council Secretary-general David Tawei Lee, Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Icyang Parod and Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)