The Taipei Trade Office in Fiji hosted a reception in celebration of the 111st National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the Grand Pacific Hotel on 6 October 2022, attended by more than 100 distinguished guests, including Former Prime Minister, Former First Lady, Party Leaders, Members of the Parliament, members of consular corps, government officials, international organizations, academic circles, overseas Chinese and Taiwanese community and the media.

In his remarks, Joseph Chow, Representative of Taipei Trade Office, said” Over the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact the global economic and daily life, the government and people of Taiwan have responded with caution. Taiwan was internationally recognized as one of the few countries to achieve a positive growth rate despite the pandemic.  Its economic growth rate last year was 6.45 percent, an 11-year high.”

He went on to say “While Taiwan’s economic and our role in the global economy has been developing markedly in recent years, we have also continued to meet our international obligations. In response to global climate change and the push toward sustainable development, Taiwan announced its 2050 net-zero emissions pathway and general strategies in March, aiming to reduce energy dependence to below 50 percent, cut air pollution by 30 percent by 2030 and facilitate the green transition of industry.  Taiwan is committed to promoting sustainable development with the rest of the world.”

He added “Taiwan also makes positive contributions to the world in many other areas. We are active in donating humanitarian aid and in promoting global democracy, human rights and environmental protection. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Taiwan has sent over 550 tons of relief supplies to the people of Ukraine, and donated over US$40 million for Ukraine refugees.”

While mentioning the situation across the Taiwan Strait, he said “After the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on 4 August, China dispatched military aircraft and vessels to intimidate Taiwan and held live-fire military drills in waters around Taiwan. Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and many other like-minded countries have voiced support for Taiwan through multiple channels, strongly condemning China’s military and economic coercion of Taiwan. Taiwan’s resolve to defend its national sovereignty and security.”

“Taiwan will neither escalate conflict nor instigate disputes. But Taiwan’s resolve to defend its national sovereignty and security will never waver. It will continue to stand on the front line of defense of freedom and democracy. Taiwan is also working with the global democratic community to jointly deter authoritarian expansion and aggression, safeguard the rules-based international order, and maintain a free and open indo-Pacific region.”, he stressed.

Regarding Taiwan and Fiji relations, he said “Fiji and Taiwan have been enjoying a warm and enduring relationship that spans 52 years, despite some major challenges along the way. Just one year after Fiji gained independence from British rule in 1970, Taiwan officially opened a trade mission in 1971 and set up the Taiwan Technical Mission in 1978.  We are proud to be one of Fiji’s longest partners in the agricultural sector and beyond. In 2015, the Green Pearl and dragon fruit plants were introduced as part of Taiwan-Fiji technical cooperation project to help the Fijian Government establish a new fruit industry.”

“Furthermore, Taiwan is injecting 3 million Fijian Dollars to set up two smart farms in Nausori, which will be up and running next year. Then we will be able to utilize the tissue culture laboratory to produce seedlings in large quantities, which will help Fiji revitalize its banana industry. Besides agricultural, Taiwan kicked off the aquaculture cooperation project in 2017, with an aim of assisting Fiji to develop a self-sufficient, environmentally-sustainable, and economically viable aquaculture industry”, he added.

He emphasized “Nurtured with time, our partnership has also expanded to more key areas such as education, health, solar energy, capacity building and training programs. With mission and belief--’ Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.’, we look forward to the more prosperous and fruitful Taiwan-Fiji relationship in the near future”

While making his remarks, H.E. Sitiveni Rabuka, Former Prime Minister of Fiji, congratulated both Taiwan and Fiji as Taiwan’s national day and Fiji’s Independence Day fall on 10 October. He said that when he was the prime minister, he followed the footstep of Former Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to adopt the foreign policy of engaging with Taiwan and China at the same time for the benefit of all the three nations. He recalled his fond memory and deep impression on Taiwan’s freedom, democracy and economic development during his visits to Taiwan as prime minster in the past. He is grateful for Taiwan’s assistance in agriculture, acqaculture, public health and looks forward to the closer bonds between the two countries.

Joseph Chow, Taiwan Representative, delivers a speech at the National Day Reception of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Representative Chow and Mrs. Chow welcome Former Prime Minister of Fiji H.E. Sitiveni Rabuaka attending the National Day Reception of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Representative Chow and Mrs. Chow invite distinguished guests to join them in cutting the cake to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan)