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Ma honors sister city with park fun

"We cherish the relationship and will continue to provide as many resources as possible to our sister city."

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou

In celebration of Malawi's Independence Day and the reopening of the Qunsian Park (群賢公園) administered by the Ta-an church, Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) vowed to honor the friendship between Taipei and Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi and sister city to Taipei.

"Ta-an church's efforts in Malawi have accelerated the interaction between the two countries," Ma said.

"We cherish the relationship and will continue to provide as many resources as possible to our sister city."

Earlier this year Taipei City donated two ambulances to Lilongwe, which were delivered by Ta-an church.

The embassy of the Republic of Malawi in Taiwan together with the Ta-an Presbyterian Church, yesterday held a tea party in the park.

The Republic of Malawi, situated in southeastern Africa, is one of Taiwan's 27 diplomatic allies. The two countries began their diplomatic relationship in 1966, and Malawi set up an embassy in Taiwan in 1999. Taipei City and Lilongwe have been sister cities since 1984. Last year President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) visited Malawi for the first time to celebrate the country's Independence Day.

There have long been close ties between Ta-an church and Malawi. Lo Lien-sheng (羅聯昇), the minister of Ta-an church, said that the church first went to Malawi in 1996 to help local residents build churches. Later Ta-an church expanded its activities: they started to provide medical services, agricultural and computer skills. They also arranged cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries, including bringing in a Malawian children's chorus to tour around in the country in 2000.

Ta-an church, at the same time, also has adopted the Qun-sian Park in its neighborhood for over five years, renovating the park according to the needs of the local residents. The reopening of the park coincided with Malawi's Independence Day, and the two sides held a joint celebration.

Amid birthday songs, cakes and congratulations, Malawian ambassador to Taiwan Eunice Kazembe returned the good will.

"I am very glad that Taiwan has finally been removed from WHO's SARS-affected area list," said Kazembe, who has been the ambassador to Taiwan since the embassy was established in 1999.

Former Director-General of the Department of Health Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲), who was present at the occasion as a friend to the ambassador and the church, said that Malawi has been very supportive of Taiwan's bid to join the WHO.

"While China was preventing Taiwan's entry to the WHO, Malawi spoke up for us strongly, and we are very grateful for that."
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