The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia celebrated its 107th National Day observance with a night of festivities at the Sandals Grande Resort.

The year 2017 marked ten years since the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Saint Lucia and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

This year’s celebration took a reflective tone as both parties reminisced on the relationship between the two islands.

Acting Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Lenard Montoute, commended the Taiwan partnership saying the monetary and technical assistance given over the years continues to be an integral part of building a resilient Saint Lucia.

“You have touched the lives of so many Saint Lucians through projects big and small,” he said. “In this new era, when small island developing countries like Saint Lucia are struggling to access much-needed aid, Taiwan has stepped up to the plate in not just providing us with monetary assistance, but also, as the saying goes, taught us how to fish.”

The Chargé d’Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia, Bill Shih-Chang Huang spoke on behalf of the mission. He noted that the similarities between Saint Lucia and Taiwan create a solid foundation for a relationship based on mutual trust and respect.

“Saint Lucia and Taiwan are not just diplomatic allies but also kindred spirits, sharing common values and mutual interests,” Mr Huang said. “We may be oceans apart, nevertheless we have many similarities. Geographically, we are both mountainous states with scarcely any natural resources. Historically we have both suffered the tyrannies of great power rivalries. Even our economies used to rely heavily on banana exports. What’s more, Taiwan and Saint Lucia are both democracies attaching great importance to the values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law.”

Acting Prime Minister Montoute catalogued some of the projects and programmes undertaken under the auspices of Taiwan that have developed Saint Lucia’s human and infrastructural resources over the last decade.

“The value of the transfer of knowledge and expertise to our people is immeasurable,” he said. “Saint Lucia has benefitted from cooperation arrangements which include the Taiwan Scholarship Programme, the Constituency Development Programme, the Fruit and Vegetable Cooperation and Extension Project, aquaculture, the ICT Technical Cooperation Project, the Black Sigatoka Treatment and Prevention Project, the Saint Lucia - Taiwan Trade Exhibition, and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has also agreed to provide visa-free treatment for nationals of Saint Lucia to visit Taiwan effective July 12, 2017.”

The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Allen M. Chastanet is currently out of state with the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Saint Lucia, His Excellency Douglas C.T. Shen. They are attending National Day celebrations in Taiwan, held annually on Oct. 10.