Taiwan has lauded Nigeria’s growing diplomatic ties with St. Lucia and other Caribbean nations, describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to Saint Lucia as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s foreign policy.
The Head of Mission of Taiwan in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping Liu, in a statement on Wednesday, extended warm congratulations to Nigeria, hailing Tinubu’s outreach as visionary and symbolic of a new chapter in international collaboration.
“We, the people and Government of Taiwan, wholeheartedly congratulate H. E. President Tinubu for his visions and concrete actions of extending Nigeria’s connection with the Caribbean island state, just like Taiwan has made diplomatically with St. Lucia,” Liu said.
He noted that Taiwan maintains full diplomatic relations with four Caribbean countries — St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti — and has embassies established in their capitals.
“Our diplomatic presence of embassies, together with Development and Technical Aid of medical, agricultural, women and youth empowering, trade and investment strengthening, sustainable development, etc., have truly assisted St. Lucia as well as other Caribbean nations to grow well economically and socially,” he said.
Liu expressed hope that Nigeria’s growing relationship with the Caribbean could open doors for closer ties with Taiwan through their shared partners.
“We’re proud to offer our helping hands that produce fruitful results, and we certainly welcome wholeheartedly that Nigeria will also be joining this humanitarian and economic collaboration in the Caribbean area,” he said.
Commenting on President Tinubu’s recognition in St. Lucia, Liu said Taiwan was “extremely delighted” by the conferment of the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (K.C.O.S.L.) on the Nigerian leader, noting it was a testament to his commitment to strengthening Africa-Caribbean ties.
“This has showcased His Excellency’s visionary exploration and escalation of Nigeria’s ever-growing international status, and his grand movements in deepening the collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS),” Liu stated.
The Taiwanese envoy also recalled St. Lucia’s close diplomatic cooperation with Taiwan, citing recent high-level visits.
“Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, that H. E. President Tinubu has met in St. Lucia, visited Taiwan to attend President Ching-Te Lai’s inauguration ceremony on May 20th, 2024. Also, St. Lucia’s Senate President Madam Alvina Reynolds, that President Tinubu has also met, visited Taiwan to attend our National Day Celebrations on October 10th, 2024,” he said.
“These have demonstrated how cordially the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and St. Lucia have been, and our bilateral cooperation has truly showcased Taiwan as an indispensable and healthy partner for St. Lucia, as well as other Caribbean nations.”
Liu further emphasised Taiwan’s resilience and capacity to contribute to global development, despite geopolitical challenges.
“Taiwan (ROC) has survived the heavy pressure from across the Taiwan Strait, and flourished outstandingly in the world, both democratically and economically on nation building,” he said. “We the Taiwanese people are privileged to share our advanced know-how and technology to any country globally, so that we can work together in weathering through all sorts of challenges.”
He concluded by expressing Taiwan’s willingness to deepen relations with Nigeria.
“It is therefore, once again, we would like to congratulate dearly for President Tinubu’s diplomatic achievements in his landmark State Visit to St. Lucia, and also sincerely express our goodwill for any future strengthening of Nigeria–Taiwan relations, either in this great nation of Nigeria or in our shared diplomatic allies of St Lucia and the Caribbean states.
“Taiwan remains humble and ready to share its vast knowledge with Nigeria in various fields of comparative advantages, and we would appreciate deeply that His Excellency President Tinubu and Nigeria view and regard Taiwan as a most advanced and developed, healthy partner, to build substantial relations, like what we have contributed and collaborated in Saint Lucia,” Liu said.
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