Taiwan will send an envoy to the Marshall Islands to attend the inauguration of its President-elect Hilda Heine on January 22. The Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) will lead the delegation.
The ministry says that Tien will express congratulations to the new president and cabinet members of the new government on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). He will also exchange views with Marshallese dignitaries on the cooperation plan between the two countries.
The ministry says that Taiwan and the Republic of the Marshall Islands share universal values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights, and have long-term close cooperation in areas such as food security, medical care, infrastructure, climate change adaptation, and women's empowerment. It says the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation and deepen their friendship.
The Marshall Islands is one of Taiwan’s 12 remaining diplomatic allies, and one of only three Pacific allies after Nauru decided to break ties with Taiwan on January 15.