The President and his wife, the appointed and elected officials of the National government and State were all welcomed by Ambassador Maggie T. Tien at the dinner reception at Ming’s Restaurant, Palasia, on Tuesday.
Ambassador Tien was joined by the President and the First Lady, Bilung Gloria Salii and Supreme Court Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong in cutting the ceremonial cake.Ambassador Tien in her speech said that it has been nearly nine years since Taiwan and Palau entered into the diplomatic bond.Tien said under the leadership of Remengesau, Palau has been an answering friend to Taiwan in support of Taiwan’s need to participate in the global society.“Through all these years, the Republic of China has been bestowed with the opportunities to cooperate with the Republic of Palau in many fields aimed at advancing Palau’s economic development benefiting its people’s livelihood,” Tien said.The Ambassador said there have been some progresses and improvements between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, medical and health care, education, culture and sports exchanges.She said there’s always ample room for improvement and advancement.Tien said from 1950 to 1965, Taiwan was a recipient of foreign aid. It received an average of $100 million per year, accounting for 9 percent of Gross Domestic Product.She added that based on today’s term, 9 percent of GDP of Taiwan is equivalent to $34.5 billion.“Taiwan was one of only a few successful cases where economic growth was sustained. Therefore Taiwan’s development experience is something money cannot buy and we should share this with our allied countries,” Ambassador Tien said.“This is the solid commitment of my government to our diplomatic allies including Republic of Palau for further strengthened cooperation, friendship and co-prosperity,” she added.Minister of State Temmy Shmull on behalf of the Palau government, congratulated Taiwan and said that Palau will continue to cooperate with Taiwan in advancing the interest of the two nations not only here in Palau but also in the international community.“We’re very happy to join our friends from Taiwan and all members of the community here in Palau. This is a happy occasion and we are happy to join them in celebrating their 97th National Day. Taiwan is a very close friend of Palau and I hope tourism will continue to flourish and develop for the benefits of the two countries and to help also our economy,” Shmull said in an interview.Traditional leaders of Palau, the US Charge’ d’ affairs Mark Bezner and his wife, former President Kuniwo Nakamura, Presidential candidate Johnson Toribiong, Senators and Delegates and Ministers were also there.
