Foreign Minister Lin witnesses successful outcomes of values-based and economic and trade diplomacy on visit to Saint Lucia

October 29, 2024 

No. 379 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung arrived in Saint Lucia on an official visit the morning of October 28. He called on Acting Governor-General Cyril Charles, met with Prime Minister Philip Pierre, and lunched with the entire cabinet. In the afternoon, he visited the Parliament of Saint Lucia and held bilateral talks with Senate President Alvina Reynolds and House of Assembly Speaker Claudius Francis. He also engaged in extensive exchanges on the international situation and Taiwan-Saint Lucia relations with other key political figures in Saint Lucia. The meetings were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

Minister Lin stated that Saint Lucia was an important Caribbean ally of Taiwan. He added that the two countries shared the values of freedom and democracy and were working to jointly counter the threat of authoritarianism. He expressed particular appreciation for Saint Lucia’s staunch support of Taiwan’s international participation, thanking Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Moses Jn. Baptiste and Minister for External Affairs Alva Baptiste for speaking up for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly and the United Nations General Assembly, respectively.

Minister Lin noted that Taiwan and Saint Lucia had engaged in close cooperation on partnership projects for many years across a number of domains, including education, science, technology, public health, infrastructure, and empowerment of women and youth, achieving significant results. He said that in the future the government of Taiwan would implement integrated diplomacy, sharing Taiwan’s technological strengths and experience to assist in Saint Lucia’s economic development. He expected continued bilateral cooperation to foster a partnership for prosperity and sustainable development. 

Prime Minister Pierre said that the government and people of Saint Lucia were deeply grateful for Taiwan’s substantive assistance over the years, which had met local needs. He emphasized that the two countries would build on the existing solid foundation of cooperation to steadily promote mutual development, share experiences, and actively deepen diplomatic ties.

Senate President Reynolds and House of Assembly Speaker Francis, who attended National Day celebrations in Taiwan earlier this month, extended a special invitation to Minister Lin to visit parliament and personally expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality afforded to them by the Taiwan government during their stay. They also lauded Taiwan’s political, economic, and cultural development, which they hoped would serve as a point of reference for Saint Lucia. (E)