Deputy Foreign Minister Hsu stated that Taiwan and Palau established formal diplomatic relations on December 29, 1999, making this year the 20th anniversary of our official ties. During those two decades, Palau has been one of our most important allies in the Pacific region, he said, and a long-term supporter of our participation in international organizations.

On the morning of December 13, President Tsai Ing-wen met with Republic of Nauru President Lionel Aingimea and First Lady Aingimea and witnessed the signing of a bilateral aviation services agreement. President Tsai expressed hope that our diplomatic ties will continue to progress through more collaborative projects.

President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed Nauru President Lionel Aingimea and First Lady Aingimea on the morning of December 13 with full military honors. In remarks, the president emphasized that Taiwan and Nauru have continued to deepen our partnership, especially concerning the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the morning of December 10, President Tsai Ing-wen presented the 14th Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award to the Diplomacy Training Program and conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on Mr. Carl Gershman, President of the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

President Tsai Ing-wen met with Ian Steff, Assistant Secretary for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service at the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration on the morning of December 9. The president stated that Taiwan plays an irreplaceable role in the global high-tech supply chain.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi on the morning of December 3. She mentioned that the 44th Taiwan-Japan Economic and Trade Meeting held a month ago in Tokyo achieved outstanding results, and the two countries signed four MOUs covering areas such as environmental protection and promotion of the import and export of organic foods.

During a meeting with Singapore Trade Office in Taipei Representative Simon Wong Wie Kuen on the morning of December 2, President Tsai Ing-wen praised Representative Wong's support for Taiwan's New Southbound Policy and contributions to Taiwan-Singapore relations.

While attending the opening ceremony of FinTech Taipei 2019 on the morning of November 29, President Tsai Ing-wen pointed out that in response to the arrival of FinTech, changes in the international sphere, and challenges the new state of financing has brought for domestic financial firms, the government will help drive industry and help it grow, transforming Taiwan into Asia's center for enterprise capital management and high-end asset management.

During a meeting with US Congressmen Bill Flores and Guy Reschenthaler on the morning of November 26, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that the situation in Hong Kong demonstrates the importance of Taiwan and the United States' joint defense of free, democratic values.

President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by American Legion National Commander James W. Oxford on the morning of November 27. She stated that the best way to ensure peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific is to maintain strong Taiwan-US relations, so that together, we can defend democracy and freedom.