President Tsai Ing-wen (???) welcomed new Tuvalu Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Bikenibeu Paeniu on Monday as he presented his credentials, vowing continued support for Taiwan.
Tuvalu was the first country Taiwan had established diplomatic relations with among its allies in the Pacific Ocean, Tsai said while receiving Paeniu’s credentials, which marked the official beginning of his ambassadorship.
Stressing that the two countries cherish their friendship very much, Tsai said she had visited Tuvalu in 2017 to gain a first-hand understanding about the results of the cooperation between the two countries.
Tsai added she was deeply impressed by the warm hospitality provided by all sectors in Tuvalu.
In her address, she also expressed gratitude to Tuvalu for speaking up in support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and activities, such as the World Health Assembly and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Paeniu has served thrice as the prime minister of Tuvalu and has rich political experience and a good understanding of the interactions between the two countries, Tsai said.
With Paeniu’s assistance, the cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Tuvalu will be stronger in the future, she added.
Paeniu said that during his 10 years as prime minister in Tuvalu, he witnessed the development of bilateral relations such as a hotel cooperation project, and the funding of the construction of government buildings by Taiwan’s government.
Paeniu said that after he retired from his post in 2006, he continued to witness the continuous support and help provided by the Republic of China (as Taiwan is officially known) to Tuvalu.3
He said that his major responsibility was to maintain the friendship between the two countries, and that the Tuvalu government and people were very grateful for the long-standing support from Taiwan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979.
Paeniu indicated what Tuvalu would give Taiwan in return would be the highest level of trust and loyalty.
He said that he hoped the cooperation between the two countries would continue to progress and that Tuvalu hoped to receive more funding from Taiwan.
Tuvalu will continue to help Taiwan win more allies in the Pacific region that would support the ROC (Taiwan), according to Paeniu.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel