Remarks at the state banquet

Remarks at the state banquet

• Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
• Date：2026-03-04

Dr. Lin Chia-lung

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Republic of China (Taiwan)

March 4, 2026

(As Prepared for Delivery)

Your Excellency Afelee Pita, Acting Governor-General of Tuvalu, and Mrs. Pita;

The Honorable Feleti Teo, Prime Minister;

The Honorable Panapasi Nelesoni, Deputy Prime Minister, and Mrs. Nelesoni;

The Honorable Paulson Panapa, Minister of Foreign Affairs;

Honorable cabinet ministers and members of parliament;

Clergy and community leaders;

Ladies and gentlemen:

Talofa!

It is a great honor to be here in Tuvalu. Since making my first trip in 2024, I have always been deeply touched by the warmth and hospitality of the Tuvaluan people and the beauty of your island nation. It is truly a pleasure to be able to visit once again.

Since President Lai Ching-te took office, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been promoting the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, which aims to share Taiwan's expertise in four domains: digital technology, medicine and public health, green-friendly initiatives, and economic resilience. And these areas of focus align closely with a number of the 21 priority policies outlined and targeted by Prime Minister Teo.

Over a 47-year diplomatic alliance, Taiwan and Tuvalu have built a strong foundation of cooperation in a wide range of areas. Today, I personally witnessed many of the achievements yielded by our collaboration. And as the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project continues to concentrate on working with like-minded partners to advance sustainable and enduring prosperity, we look forward to strengthening coordination and engaging in even more cooperation with Tuvalu in the years to come.

Meanwhile, we deeply appreciate Tuvalu's principled advocacy for Taiwan on the international stage, including your backing for Taiwan's active participation in the Pacific Islands Forum. Looking ahead, we hope that Tuvalu will continue to firmly support Taiwan's meaningful participation in key international and regional gatherings, including the World Health Assembly, the UN General Assembly, the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, and the ICAO Assembly, as well as the aforementioned PIF.

The Tuvaluan word kaitasi literally means "eating together," much like we are doing tonight. In the spirit of kaitasi, let us continue to work together and support one another. May Taiwan-Tuvalu relations grow even stronger as we champion and safeguard our shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

In closing, I thank you all once again for your warm hospitality and wish you all the very best of health.

Fakafetai lasi!