President Tsai Ing-wen (fourth right) receives flowers after returning from her first official diplomatic visit to the South Pacific Nov. 2 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. (Courtesy of Office of the President)

President Tsai Ing-wen lauded Nov. 4 the success of her eight-day official trip to three Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies in the South Pacific, stating that the tour spotlighted Taiwan’s ability to contribute to the international community, especially in the areas of agriculture, education and medical care.
 
The president made the remarks at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after returning from visits to ROC diplomatic allies Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
 
According to Tsai, the tour strengthened bilateral ties between Taiwan and each of the respective nations by establishing agreements for more exchanges under the government’s policy of steadfast diplomacy, which seeks to expand relations on the basis of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.
 
During the president’s tour, pacts on meteorology and law enforcement collaboration were signed with the Solomon Islands. Taiwan also inked two memorandums of understanding with the Marshall Islands, one on a presidential scholarship program and the other on immigration affairs and anti-human trafficking cooperation.
 
Tsai visited several Taiwan-backed collaborative projects spanning climate change, disease prevention and renewable energy in the nations, and praised the country’s overseas medical and technical missions upon her return. “It is because of you that the people of our diplomatic allies will always remember the friendship of Taiwan,” she said.
 
While traveling to and from the region, Tsai made stopovers in Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam, respectively. Highlights of the president’s eight-day itinerary included meetings with Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine, Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele S. Sopoaga and Governor-General Iakoba Taeia Italeli, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Governor-General Frank Ofagioro Kabui. (KWS-E)