Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
FIRST BITE
Front Page
October 7, 2005

FIRST BITE

President Chen Shui-Bian has created history as the first president of the Republic of China on Taiwan who has had the distinguished honour of addressing the parliament of a foreign nation.

Thursday, September 29 will go down in the annals of Vincentian history as the day when this historic event took place.{{more}}

Less than 24 hours after arriving here, President Chen addressed our highest legislative body.

He described St.Vincent and the Grenadines as an icon of democracy in the Caribbean as he praised this country’s constitutional reform efforts. He said our process will serve as a precedent to other countries desiring constitutional reform.

The president also praised this country for its support and calls for Taiwan to join international organizations.

“St.Vincent and the Grenadines is an emerald in the eyes of God,” said President Chen adding that he is sure some members of his delegation are reluctant to return home.

In his address, Prime Minister Gonsalves welcomed President Chen and his delegation to Parliament:

“I welcome you to Parliament, the home of our democracy,” said Dr. Gonsalves.

The Prime Minister used the opportunity to give President Chen a historical account of colonialism in the Caribbean dating from European conquest to adult suffrage. He also spoke about St.Vincent and

the Grenadines’ attainment of independence from Britain in 1979.

Dr. Gonsalves’ heaped commendations on Sir Vincent Beache, the senior statesman in the Unity Labour Party (ULP) for the pivotal role that he played alongside the late Prime Minister Robert Milton Cato in establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan 24 years ago.

He expressed the view that every administration that has governed this country has built upon this vital relationship which he described as an unbreakable nexus.

Dr. Gonsalves reiterated to Parliament a point he made recently when he addressed the United Nations that St.Vincent and the Grenadines unequivocally supports the request of Taiwan to be represented at the United Nations and other international bodies.

The Prime Minister said it is unfair, unreasonable, and irrational to exclude a country of 23 million people with nobility of purpose from the United Nations.

He again called upon the United Nations to take the lead in promoting constructive dialogue and friendly engagement between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC).

Dr.Gonsalves pointed out that St.Vincent and the Grenadines has been the beneficiary of Taiwan’s generosity over the years.

He praised Taiwan for the assistance in areas such as the construction of the Cross Country Road, the funding of scholarships for Vincentians to pursue studies in Taiwan, the Youth Empowerment Programme, the building of learning resource centres, the National Public Library and the proposed international airport at Argyle, the largest capital project the state will ever undertake.

Opposition Leader, Arnhim Eustace addressing Parliament, warmly welcomed President Chen and his delegation on behalf of the New Democratic Party, which he heads.

“My Party is very proud of the fact that for 17 years of this relationship (24 years of diplomatic relations) we the New Democratic Party were the elected government of this country,” said Eustace.

Eustace praised the efforts of Her Excellency Ambassador Elizabeth Chu towards the deepening of diplomatic ties between her country, the Republic of China on Taiwan and St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

The former Prime Minister hailed this country’s two leading political parties for maintaining the relationship with Taiwan over the years.

Eustace brought great laughter to the House of Assembly when he told President Chen that he expected that after the next elections, the president’s administration will be doing business with the New Democratic Party again.

At the end of Eustace’s speech Parliament adjourned and Prime Minister Gonsalves took President Chen on a tour of the Vegetable Market.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    12 left homeless in mid-day fire at Richland Park
    Front Page
    12 left homeless in mid-day fire at Richland Park
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    A fire that destroyed a multi-family complex in Richland Park over the weekend has left at least 12 people homeless, including a 23-year-old mother of...
    PM responds to US military strike on small boat off Venezuela
    Front Page
    PM responds to US military strike on small boat off Venezuela
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has responded to reports by the United States administration that its military had carried out the bombing of a boa...
    Building material disappear from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School
    Front Page
    Building material disappear from the Mary Hutchinson Primary School
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Police investigators on Union Island are said to be looking into the “disappearance” of building materials that were sent to the Southern Grenadine Is...
    What’s new at Fitz Hughes Government School?
    Front Page
    What’s new at Fitz Hughes Government School?
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    by Grace Francis After sharing a small space for over a year, children and teachers at the Fitz Hughes Early Childhood Centre went into brand new prem...
    MRI-6 donates over $70,000 for school meals for vulnerable students
    Front Page
    MRI-6 donates over $70,000 for school meals for vulnerable students
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Several secondary schools and special needs institutions across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have received $5,000 donations towards meals for s...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    News
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...
    PM Gonsalves heads delegation to Ethiopia
    News
    PM Gonsalves heads delegation to Ethiopia
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is leading a delegation to the East African country of Ethiopia; the delegation left the state on Wednesday, Septe...
    New Port to be opened on October 24- PM Gonsalves
    News
    New Port to be opened on October 24- PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The modern port in Kingstown is expected to be handed over to the government just before this country celebrates its 46th anniversary of political ind...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok