Significance beyond symbolism- PM ends successful visit to Taiwan

Submitted by: the
Embassy of SVG in the R.O.C (Taiwan)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has had 43 years of unbroken diplomatic relations with the R.O.C.(Taiwan). Therefore, the determination of Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves to witness in person the inauguration of the 16th democratically elected President and Vice President of Taiwan may be seen as symbolic of the depth of the relationship shared by our countries. Indeed, while here in Taiwan, our Prime Minister referred specifically to the value which our country places on exhibiting its loyalty to Taiwan, and Taiwan has reciprocated in this regard.

In the early hours of the morning of 18th May, 2024, Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and his delegation which comprised his wife, Mrs Eloise Gonsalves; Senator Shackell Bob; Anson Latchman, Budget Analyst; and chair of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Youth; Darron Rodan John, Core Member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Youth; Shevrell Mc Millan, Press Officer; and Irwin Adams, Security Officer, were greeted at the Taoyuan International Airport by Dr. Joseph Wu, Minister of Foreign Affairs (now Secretary General of National Security in the government’s new configuration), and senior officials of MOFA/Taiwan. An honour guard and a military salute to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and the Republic of China formed part of this crisp, well-choreographed greeting. Two hours later PM Gonsalves held a meeting with Minister Wu at the PM’s 12th Floor Suite at the richly historical Grand Hotel, Taipei. By 3:50 p.m that day the full delegation visited the Embassy of SVG in Tianmu where the growing collection of texts by Vincentians about SVG in our Reading Room continues to reach a widening audience. A Town Hall Meeting, which lasted for about four hours, between the PM’s delegation and the Vincentian community was then held in the Social Hall of the Diplomatic Quarters where the Embassy is located. During this very well-attended interactive session, SVG’s Cultural Ambassador, Peggy Carr was recognised by the Vincentians In Taiwan Association (VITA) for her 24 years of selflessly dedicated service to Taiwan’s Vincentian community. VITA was also recognised for its service prior to and since the existence of an elected Executive in 2017. The highly significant Vincy communion which took place during the Town Hall meeting also saw the PM and his delegation fielding a number of questions which resulted in helpful and informative discussion. Caribbean cuisine from our Embassy’s favourite ABV Bar and Kitchen, provided the evening with the requisite flavours.

On Sunday 19th May, PM and Mrs. Gonsalves were hosted by the then President-elect Lai, and Vice President-elect Hsiao to a pleasant morning of indoor shrimping. Later that day, H.E. Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, 15th-term president of the R.O.C. hosted PM and Mrs. Gonsalves to a State Banquet, while the remainder of the delegation attended a Welcome Reception at the Taipei Guest House which was hosted by H.E. Joseph Wu and Mrs. Wu.

Inauguration Day, Monday 20th May, began in Taipei and ended in the 400 year old city of Tainan, where President Lai had served as its elected representative in the Legislative Yuan and later, as Mayor for a number of years. The spectacle of the inauguration in Taipei was matched by the logistical feat of having guests transported to Tainan, 307.5 kms away, for the elegant State Banquet which ended close to midnight. Fifty-one foreign delegations visited Taiwan for the inauguration.

Tuesday 21st May was the day of significant diplomatic signings for SVG. After meeting with Mayor Wan-An Chiang of Taipei City, PM Gonsalves addressed and observed the signing ceremony of the Sister-City Agreement between the cities of Kingstown and Taipei. Ambassador Andrea Bowman and Mayor Chiang signed for Kingstown and Taipei respectively, while Senator Bobb and Speaker Tai Hsi- Chin signed as witnesses. This agreement deepens SVG’s collaboration with Taipei City, particularly in the areas of educational, cultural, economic and environmental benefits. Mayor Chiang presented PM Gonsalves with the symbolic key to Taipei City and Mayor Chiang, in his first Sister-City signing since taking office, received a distinctive ‘Dinks’ Johnson painting of Fort Duvernette from PM Gonsalves.

By 2:00 p.m Prime Minister Gonsalves and President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau, signed the Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between their two countries. This ceremony, which took place at the Office of the President, was witnessed by President Lai. Our PM and his full delegation then paid a courtesy call to President Lai where gifts were exchanged. Roland ‘Scrapy’ Dopwell’s exquisitely crafted copper depiction of iconic Vincentian landmarks was presented to President Lai. The PM’s day ended with meeting the Overseas Investment & Development Corporation (OiDC) and having an interview with the press at the Grand Hotel.

A visit to SVG’s faithful friend, the MacKay Memorial Hospital was first on the PM and his delegation’s agenda for the morning of Wednesday 22nd May. MacKay has worked unflinchingly with our country since 2017 and maintains energetic collaboration in training and knowledge transfer. The MacKay visit was followed by an afternoon’s tour of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, an agency with which we have worked closely in the areas of combating money laundering and developing counter-intelligence mechanisms.

A mini surprise birthday party for Mrs. Gonsalves, who shares a birthday with Darron Rodan John, brought the curtains down on this intensely enjoyable and meaningful 12th official visit of our PM to Taiwan. The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Lin Chia-lung, along with Taiwan’s Ambassador to SVG, H.E. Fiona Fan and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bade farewell to the PM and his delegation when they left just after 7:00 p.m on 22nd May, 2024.