Several foreign heads of state are set to arrive in Taiwan this week to attend the inauguration of President-elect Tsai Ing-wen on May 20.
The foreign ministry said Monday that the arriving heads of state will include leaders from Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, the Soloman Islands and the Marshall Islands. All six countries in the Asia Pacific region maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The foreign ministry said their visits highlight the close and friendly ties that Taiwan has maintained with its Asia Pacific allies.
The foreign ministry also said that dignitaries from Korea, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and India are also invited to attend the event.
Tsai’s inauguration is a historical moment for Taiwan, as she will become the nation’s first female president. Tsai won the election in January with 56% of the vote. Her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also secured a majority in the legislature.