STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF HONOURABLE WILLY TELAVI AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EMBASSY OF TUVALU IN THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ()

International Trade Building Taiwan International Trade Building

(333 Keelung Rd, Sec. 1, 110, Taiwan, Republic of China) 14th March, 2013

The Honourable David Lin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan),

Honorary Consul-General of Tuvalu in Taiwan – Mr. John Wei-Jyh Chen and family,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today represents a highly significant historical moment for our two countries. It cements the very strong bond between our two countries which we have shared since we first established diplomatic ties on the 19th September, 1979. We cherish the fact that Tuvalu is the oldest ally for Taiwan in the Pacific region. But our ties are much older than this. Studies of the origins of the Polynesian languages of the Pacific, including Tuvaluan, suggest that they are strongly linked to the Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan. This connection extends back over 5,000 years. So in a way, the establishment of this Embassy is a symbolic homecoming for us.

It is also symbolic that this Embassy has been established in the Year of the Snake. I understand that according to ancient Chinese wisdom, a snake in a house is a good omen. I am sure that a new house in the Year of the Snake is also a good omen. If my information is correct, we are actually in the Year of the Water Snake. This is also very symbolic. We are connected by a vast sea of water known as the Pacific Ocean. Apparently water snakes are quite motivated, intellectual, very determined and resolute about success. Let me assure all here that it will be out of quest to ensure that this Embassy fulfils all these traits. We are determined and resolute about making this Embassy a success. It will create even greater ties of friendship between our two countries. I am indeed very proud to appoint Minute Alapati Taupo to the position of Ambassador. Ambassador Taupo fits the traits of being a motivated and intellectual individual. He and his dear wife Seleta served in our New York Mission a decade ago for almost 5 years. They worked hard to create a full and effective voice for Taiwan in the . We remain committed to this goal. Every nation has the right to nationhood. We faced the challenge of nationhood in the 1970s and we won. We will do all in our powers through the United Nations and its functional organizations and other multi-lateral and international organizations such as UNFCCC, UNDP, UNEP, ICAO and so on, to support Taiwan’s rightful seat and meaningful participation in the United Nations.

I must say that establishing the Embassy of Tuvalu in Taipei was not easy. It was through tiring efforts and discussions of the dignitaries from both Tuvalu and the Republic of China (Taiwan). The discussions on this issue started from my discussions I had with the various authorities of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) during my Inaugural State Visit to Taiwan in early 2011 and this was followed up through the efforts of our Minister of Foreign Affairs through his visits to Taiwan in 2011 and 2012 which eventuated to Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to provide financial support of US$200,000.00 each year for the establishment and operation of this Embassy. On behalf of the Government and People of Tuvalu, I want to thank the Government and People of Taiwan for this kind assistance.

The establishment of the Embassy of Tuvalu in this wonderful International Trade Building is a strong symbol of the close friendship and economic ties that our countries share. We are extremely grateful for the support that the people of Taiwan have given to Tuvalu. The government office building on Funafuti and the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel were constructed through the kind and generous support of the People of Taiwan. These are just two of the many examples of support that have shared between our nations over the last three decades which include:

1. The annual grants to support our National Recurrent Budget, now at a US$5 million per annum level 2. Agricultural Technique Mission to promote green vegetables and fruits 3. Milk Fish Farming Workshop 4. Renewable Energy/Solar Power Lighting Programme 5. Taiwan Medical Programme to upgrade the capacity of our hospital 6. Taiwan Scholarship Programme which have now attracted about 30 students from Tuvalu, a form of assistance to further develop the human resources capacity of the Government of Tuvalu, and let alone 7. Taiwan’s kind assistance of US$200,000.00 per annum as ongoing support for the Embassy of Tuvalu in Taiwan.

We have noted the significant usefulness of the establishment of the Embassy of the Republic of China in Tuvalu since December, 1988 which has closely and effectively engaged in strengthening the bilateral relationship and cooperation of the two countries. This was made possible under the courageous leaderships of the esteemed representatives from the Republic of China as follows:

1. Mr. C.K Wang as Charge de Affaires from December, 1998 to May, 2001 2. Mr. Larry Tseng as Charge de Affaires from May, 2001 to January, 2003 3. Mr. Michael Hsu as Charge de Affaires from January, 2003 to April, 2004 4. Ambassador Feng Tai from April, 2004 to September, 2009 5. Ambassador Daniel Liao from October, 2006 to October, 2008 6. Ambassador James Tien from November, 2008 to September, 2010, and 7. Ambassador Larry Tseng for his second term in Tuvalu, from September, 2010 until now.

I hope that the establishment of this Embassy will be the starting point for greater educational ties between our two countries. If our country is to survive in a globalised world we must equip our young people with the necessary skills and capacity to compete in such a challenging world. We must build a strong and sustainable future for our young people. We look forward to a steady stream of Tuvaluan students visiting Taiwan for higher studies. Perhaps one day a Tuvaluan will win the newly established Tang Prize, honouring those who strive for peace, human rights and development.

We also hope that we can provide educational opportunities for Taiwanese visiting Tuvalu as well. We have much to offer. Importantly, we need to build our expertise in coping with the adverse effects of climate change. As a proud nation we are determined to survive and therefore our younger generation must develop the expertise to ensure that we build the necessary capacities to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Concerns about climate change have provided some interesting cultural links between our two countries. Just last year we welcomed Mr Vincent Huang to Tuvalu. Mr Huang created an eco-art installation project highlighting the impacts of climate change on the nation of Tuvalu. It was extremely popular in Tuvalu and we look forward to future visits of Taiwanese artists and hope that Mr Huang will visit again.

It is very apparent, that both our nations face the high costs of importing fossil fuels as the main basis of our energy supply. We hope that we will be able to collaborate to find the right type of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to meet the needs of our respective nations. We look forward to collaborative research in the fields of renewable energy.

We have also noted with great interest President Ma Ying Jeou’s East China Peace Initiative to resolve over the Taiwan’s Diaoyutai Islands (a group of five uninhabited islands located on the northeast of Taiwan which Japan calls them as ). We are given to understand that these islands constitute an integral part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan), whether judged in terms of geography, geology, historical evidence or international law. We would support that this initiative will not only strive to improve the Taiwan Strait relations, but it is also one that is instrumentally appropriate to safeguard regional peace by way of calling on parties concerned, Japan and PRC who also have claims over Taiwan’s Diaoyutai Islands, to engage in a peaceful dialogue and mutually beneficial negotiation to resolve territorial disputes and to seek consensus and formulate an East China Code of Conduct to create a mechanism for cooperating on resource development in the region.

Overall the future looks very bright for our two proud nations. We look forward to a long and prosperous future together.

Last but no the least, I want to personally thank the Hon. David Lin and his staff from the Ministry, Honorary Consul-General of Tuvalu in Taiwan – Mr. John Wei-Jyh Chen and his staff, the Management Staff of this wonderful International Trade Center building, the Management Staff of the MEGA Bank branch in this building, and the Tuvalu students and friends in Taiwan, for the various assistances they have kindly offered in one way or the other which we have witnessed today, have all contributed to the successful establishment of the Embassy of Tuvalu to Taiwan.

Thank you.

Tuvalu mo te Atua.