Taiwan's foreign minister pays official visit to St Kitts-Nevis

On Tuesday, marked an additional step in further strengthening the relations between St. Kitts and Nevis and The Republic of China (Taiwan), with the inaugural visit of His Excellency (H.E.) Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

H.E. Wu was greeted and welcomed at the private jet terminal, Kayan Jet, by the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation in St. Kitts and Nevis, Kay Bass, Permanent Secretary, as well as other government officials.

“We are delighted Excellency to have you here and to visit with us. I think all of St. Kitts and Nevis know that Taiwan has been a very good friend and it is our desire that on your inaugural visit here that you will enjoy all of the beauty and hospitality that our country has to offer,” said Foreign Minister Brantley.

Minister Brantley used the occasion to talk briefly on the relationship between both countries with Taiwan having been the first country to recognize St. Kitts and Nevis when the island gained independence on September 19, 1983.

“That relationship has grown from strength to strength over those years. You have assisted us in terms of security, the development of our greatest resource – which is our human resource –, our planning, and our health sector,” he said. “We have benefited in so many ways from this relationship and we continue to seek to deepen this relationship that we have enjoyed and continue to enjoy.”

Foreign Minister Brantley assured H.E. Wu that “Taiwan has a friend in St. Kitts-Nevis” and that the Federation “will continue to speak up and speak out that Taiwan ought not to be left out.” He added, that the Federation “will continue to be a voice because we feel that Taiwan has an important contribution to make in the world and we will continue to speak for and on behalf of our dear friend Taiwan.”

His Excellency Wu echoed his delight in being able to visit St. Kitts and Nevis, and shared similar sentiments with regards to the strong relationship between both countries.

“We have been working together in all kinds of areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and medical attention. And we will continue to work with St. Kitts and Nevis in the area of capacity building and scholarships… to make sure that the development experience of Taiwan can also be learned and shared,” said Taiwan’s Foreign Minister. “I can assure you that Taiwan will continue to work together with you in strengthening the relationship between our two countries in whatever area that we can work on together.”

He noted that the area Taiwan is most indebted to St. Kitts and Nevis for is that of Taiwan’s international participation “because Taiwan is being isolated internationally and fortunately we have a friend… like St. Kitts and Nevis who always speaks out on behalf of Taiwan,” he added.

Foreign Minister Wu paid a courtesy call on the Governor General, His Excellency Sir. S.W. Tapley Seaton. H.E. Wu and his delegation met with Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, as well as other Cabinet Members.

H.E. Wu, who is accompanied by his wife and other dignitaries from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) including Tah-Ray Yui, Director-General in Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs; I-Chieh Chou, Senior Secretary in Minister’s Office; Yi-Cheng Lin, Section Chief in Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs and I-Ching Liu, Officer in Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, will visit the Brimstone Fortress and National Park, and the sister isle, Nevis.