Red carpet welcome for Solomons PM in Taipei
Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 24 May 2018
“PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has been accorded a red carpet welcome in Taipei, Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan.
“The Prime Minister was given a guard of honour at a state ceremony held at the presidential palace on Monday.
“Prime Minister Houenipwela also held bilateral talks with the ROC Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
“The Prime Minister and his delegation arrived in Taipei on Monday from Japan to finalise the funding arrangements for the 2023 Pacific Games.
“During the ceremony, the Prime Minister has welcomed the courtesy accorded to his delegation.
“The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Solomon Islands strong ties with Taiwan.
“Prime Minister Houenipwela also acknowledged the continuous support rendered by Taiwan through education, rural development, health, agriculture and other sectors.
“He also expressed the success and historical story of the economic growth success of Taiwan.
“The fact that your country underwent rapid economic transformation only since late 1960s to become a modern industrial powerhouse is an unbelievable feat attributed to the visionary leadership of past and present government,” he told the President.
“He said despite the challenges Taiwan’s past leaders championed the evolution of an open democratic government institution and summoned the support of an entire population to transform the country politically and economically to what it is today – one of a handful of countries leading the emerging new state-of-the-art computer.
“Madam President, the cordial and friendly ties between our two countries is bound by the principle of leaving no one behind,” he said.
“President Tsai has also hosted a state banquet for the Prime Minister which was also attended by senior ministers and diplomatic corps.
“She also reaffirmed the Government’s continuous support to Solomon Islands and her people.
“ROC Taiwan will continue to support Solomon Islands in its development endeavours and further strengthen the mutual cooperation between the two countries,” she said.
“President Tsai also reaffirmed Taiwan’s support in agriculture, education, health and other sectors.”
Copyright : Solomon Star
