BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
TAIWANESE living in Solomon Islands has celebrated their 107th National Day on Tuesday 9.
Hundreds of Taiwanese nationals and Solomon Islanders turned up to celebrate Taiwan’s national day commonly known as “double ten”.
The event should take place on October 10 to commemorate the start of the 1911 Wuchang Uprising in mainland China, but Taiwan people in Honiara decided to celebrate it earlier.
Taiwan Ambassador His Excellency Roger Luo said as Taiwan turned 107 years; they are honored and proud to share longstanding relationship with Solomon Islands.
He said both countries have achieved tremendous development over the years in terms of Health, Education, Agriculture as well as a new trade and investment that will be established soon.
Luo said a recent achievement is the mutual visits and signing of agreement and Memorandum of Understanding during President Tsai Ing-wen’s state visit last year.
“I am proud to point out that these visits not only enhanced our mutual understanding, they also led to signing of the Agreement on Police Cooperation and the MOU on Maritime Cooperation between Solomon Islands and Taiwan,” Luo said.
“I also want to assure the Honorable Prime Minister and all the other senior officials present tonight, my Government vows to work even closer with SIG in order to advance the livelihood of Solomon Islanders,” he said.
“We are confident that our bilateral relations will remain robust and continue to grow from strength to strength,” Luo said.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said Taiwan’s national day this year also marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between ROC (Taiwan) and Solomon Islands.
He said Solomon Islands is excited joined the 23 million people of Taiwan celebrating its 107th National Day which is a significant milestone that deserves our joint retrospection and celebration.
“Bilaterally, Solomon Islands and Taiwan established diplomatic relations 35 years ago, and over these years our friendship has grown steadily,” PM said.
“Allowing us to jointly see the best of the sunlight and the worst of the storms, signifying Taiwan’s outstanding role as a traditional and loyal friend to our country,” he adds.
“I am confident that our relationship is based on mutual and beneficial constructiveness, social cooperation and a shared vision for progress and prosperity of our peoples,” PM said.
“Therefore my government is committed to maintaining, and further consolidating and strengthening our relations,” he adds.
