President Lai welcomes Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu with military honors

President Lai Ching-te welcomed Prime Minister Feleti Teo of Tuvalu and his wife on the morning of November 18 with full military honors. In remarks, President Lai stated that this is the prime minister's third visit to Taiwan since taking office and his first state visit, symbolizing the strong and enduring friendship between Taiwan and Tuvalu. The president expressed hope of further enhancing the cooperative partnership between our two countries as we together face the challenges posed by geopolitics and climate change, and jointly promote the well-being of our peoples and the prosperity of our nations.

The welcome ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office. President Lai and Prime Minister Teo each delivered remarks after a 19-gun salute, the playing of the two countries' national anthems, and a review of the military honor guard.

A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:

On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I am delighted to give a sincere welcome to Prime Minister Teo and Madame Tausaga Teo as they lead this delegation to Taiwan. This is the prime minister's third visit to Taiwan since taking office and his first state visit. His presence not only symbolizes the strong and enduring friendship between our two countries but also demonstrates his high regard and support for our diplomatic relations.

Taiwan and Tuvalu have supported each other on the international stage and provided mutual assistance for shared prosperity. In recent years, our two countries have engaged in ever closer exchanges in such areas as medicine and public health, agriculture and fisheries, clean energy, information and communications technology, and talent cultivation, yielding many results.

I am confident that Prime Minister Teo's visit will further enhance the cooperative partnership between our two countries as we together face the challenges posed by geopolitics and climate change, and jointly promote the well-being of our peoples and the prosperity of our nations. In closing, I once again welcome Prime Minister Teo, Madame Teo, and all of our distinguished guests. I wish this state visit great success.

Prime Minister Teo then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai and the government and people of Taiwan for the invitation and for the largesse and sincerity of their hospitality. Noting that this is his third visit to Taiwan since assuming office in February last year and his first state visit to Taiwan, he said that on each visit, he is always deeply impressed and touched by the warmth of the welcome and reception.

Prime Minister Teo expressed his thanks for the grand military parade staged in honor of him and his delegation this morning. He remarked that the ceremonial tradition holds deep significance, as it is not only a mark of respect for visiting friends, but also a symbol of mutual recognition between our nations that signifies the dignity of the government and people of Taiwan, and the strength of the bond of friendship that unites our two countries. He said that Tuvalu treasures its special relationship with Taiwan, a relationship that is built on shared democratic values, mutual trust, and unwavering cooperation. He added that our relationship has stood the test of time and has proven to be durable and sustainable for over the last 46 years.

Prime Minister Teo then mentioned that during President Lai's state visit to Tuvalu in December last year, our two sides pledged to further strengthen and enhance the relationship. He expressed his pleasure that this morning he will observe the signing of a treaty between Tuvalu and Taiwan, establishing the necessary legal platform that will further strengthen and elevate the relationship and partnership between Tuvalu and Taiwan, in the spirit of solidarity, friendship, and unity of purpose for the mutual benefit of both our peoples. He concluded his remarks by expressing his hope that the bond of friendship between Tuvalu and Taiwan will continue to flourish and prosper in the years ahead.

Also in attendance at the welcome ceremony were Tuvalu Ambassador Lily Tangisia Faavae and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.