Taiwan celebrates National Day with reopening of representative office in Guam

2020/10/13

Taiwan celebrated Oct. 10 National Day with the reopening of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Guam, as well as the staging of a small-scale reception in respect of coronavirus-combating protocols, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
 Hosted by TECO Guam Director General Paul Chen, the event featured virtual addresses by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and Guam Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero. Attending guests included the U.S. territory’s Lt. Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio, Legislature Speaker Tina Muna Barnes and former Govs. Eddie Calvo and Carl Guierrez.
 
 According to Wu, Taiwan and Guam enjoy deep friendship and extensive exchanges spanning such areas as health care, tourism and trade. Around 30,000 ROC (Taiwan) nationals traveled to Guam each year before the outbreak of COVID-19, he said, adding that Taiwan also saw a rise in inbound visitor numbers from the Western Pacific island.
 
 As part of celebrations marking National Day and the reopening of the office, Wu said four Made in Taiwan body-temperature scanners will be donated to Guam’s government, parliamentary and medical facilities. The devices demonstrate Taiwan Can Help combat coronavirus and strengthen the U.S. territory’s response to the pandemic, he added.
 
 Guerrero, who played a key role in reestablishing TECO Guam, said the office is testament to the two sides’ strong ties. Taiwan and Guam are able to better engage in cultural and economic exchanges, as well as increase assistance and services for travelers and businesses, she added.
 
 Guerrero also took the opportunity to praise the country’s coronavirus-combating credentials. This globally recognized success makes Taiwan an invaluable resource for international agencies like the World Health Organization, she said.
 
 In addition, Barnes unveiled two resolutions passed by the Guam Legislature. One welcomed the reopening of the office and the other conveyed National Day congratulations to the government and people of Taiwan.
 
 TECO Guam is Taiwan’s 13th U.S representative office following Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington.

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