GIFF JOHNSON
Friendship and a welcoming spirit was on full display Tuesday for the visit of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
The red carpet airport greeting — featuring a hug of welcome between Lai and President Hilda Heine, CMI students singing, Marshallese and Taiwanese holding banners and signs of welcome, and a police honor guard — had the Marshallese welcome spirit turned up to thousand-watt strength.
The cordiality was demonstrated from leaders of both countries throughout the visit.
“This visit underscored the strong bilateral relations between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of China (Taiwan) reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to sustainable development and regional collaboration,” said the RMI President’s Office in a Facebook post.
Twenty-four Nitijela Members, including President Heine, were on hand for the parliament ceremony. Speaker Brenson Wase gave President Lai another red carpet welcome before Lai delivered a speech to the parliament outlining new and ongoing Taiwan support to the RMI.
Tuesday night’s state banquet at the ICC hosted by President Heine added an exclamation point to the relationship that has developed over 26 years.
“The friendship between our free and democratic nations remains strong,” said Heine at Tuesday night’s banquet. “I believe this is because we share so many things in common. We are both island nations that share the same vast Pacific Ocean, and as island nations, we face similar challenges, especially the existential threat posed by climate change.”
Heine recalled her statement at the United Nations in September when she “called for a clear role for Taiwan in the UN system, including meaningful participation in relevant specialized agencies and mechanisms of the United Nations. I made it clear that if the world and the United Nations were truly serious that ‘no one is left behind,’ they should also recognize Taiwan’s efforts and partnership towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Heine left no question as to the status of the RMI-Taiwan relationship. She reaffirmed that “my government remains resolute in its support of Taiwan and its 23 million people who would like nothing more than to do their part to make this world a better place for future generations.”
Taiwan will underwrite the purchase of two new airplanes for the national airline of the Marshall Islands, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told the Marshall Islands during his address to the Nitijela early Tuesday afternoon.
Lai’s offer of a “preferential loan” for the Marshall Islands to buy new planes follows Air Marshall Islands announcement last week of plans to buy two new US-manufactured Cessna SkyCourier aircraft to bolster domestic air service. The price tag for the new planes is estimated at $20 million.
It is another example of Taiwan supporting essential and costly infrastructure for the Marshall Islands, one of only 12 diplomatic allies of Taiwan. The two countries marked 26 years of ties last month.
To start the brief event at the parliament, Marshall Islands Parliament Speaker Brenson Wase welcomed President Lai to the Marshall Islands and expressed his “appreciation for your commitment to our nation.” Taiwan’s “support has been instrumental in the progress of the Marshall Islands,” he added before inviting Lai to speak.
Taiwan and the Marshall Islands share “an abundance of cooperative achievements,” said the Taiwan President Tuesday in remarks that were broadcast live on the government V7AB radio station and live streamed by the National Telecommunications Authority.
A Taiwanese proverb translates as “eating comes first, then everything else,” said Lai, adding this summarized the goal of helping people to prosper and live in peace and happiness.
Lai then ticked off areas of cooperation between the RMI and Taiwan, including:
- The Taiwan Technical Mission, which has provided extensive agriculture and animal husbandry support to Marshallese farmers for over two decades. The technical mission plans to build a pig slaughterhouse in Majuro next year to support food security needs of the country, he said.
- A new Artificial Intelligence/Tele-Med Center at Majuro hospital, linking it with Shuang-Ho Hospital in Taipei.
- Taiwan’s pledge to fund the demolition of a dilapidated capital building and construction of a new capital facility that is estimated to cost above $30 million. Lai said implementation of the plan “will become a new landmark” for Majuro.
- Cooperation on climate change initiatives.
The Taiwan president thanked the Marshall Islands for “always supporting Taiwan in the international space.” He recognized Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, who took office for her second term in January, for “speaking out for Taiwan at the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations General Assembly and COP29.”