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Saint Kitts and Nevis opens an embassy in Taiwan

President Chen Shui-bian, left, and visiting St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas wave during a 21-gun salute in Taipei yesterday. PHOTO: PATRICK LIN, AFP

Taiwan is grateful for the longstanding support St Kitts and Nevis has given Taiwan in its bid to participate in various international organizations, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said at a reception for Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, who was in Taipei to preside over the inauguration of his country's embassy yesterday.

The embassy, located in Tianmu, is the Caribbean country's first and only in Asia. It is also the first embassy to be opened by an ally of Taiwan in the Caribbean.

At the ceremony, Douglas said the establishment of the embassy, was a "historical milestone" that highlights the strong friendship between the government of Taiwan and his country.

He said that Taiwan had been the first country to forge diplomatic relations with St Christopher and Nevis when it declared independence from Great Britain in 1983.

Over the past 25 years, Douglas said, the two island nations had shared "steady and constructive solidarity," adding that Taiwanese and the government of Taiwan can depend on the Kittitian government for support on matters that are important to Taiwan.

Referring to Taiwan-St Kitts relations as a "meaningful symbiosis," Douglas said Taiwan has also been a solid and supportive friend of the Caribbean country by providing assistance in technical and agricultural training, medical missions and other areas.

Foreign Minister James Huang (黃志芳) congratulated Douglas on his country's first in Asia, saying the embassy would serve as a "bridge strengthening the friendship between the two countries."

Huang also thanked Douglas for remaining a staunch supporter of Taiwan internationally.

"The government of Taiwan appreciates and admires Prime Minister Douglas' courage to protect justice in the world and for his resolve to stand up against powerful countries," Huang said.

The new embassy will also serve as a consular office, where Taiwanese can obtain information on investment and tourism in the Caribbean country.

Taiwanese passport holders can also travel to St Christopher under the visa-free program.

In related news, Huang yesterday appointed R.C. Wu (吳榮泉), director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta in the US since 2003, as new ambassador to St Kitts and Nevis.

Wu will replace John Liu (劉振崑), who has served as ambassador in Basseterre for six years, Huang said.

Prior to his assignment in Atlanta, in the 1990s Wu served at the nation's representative offices in Poland and the Dominican Republic, Huang said, adding he was confident Wu would help cement the 25-year relations between Taipei and Basseterre.

Additional reporting by CNA
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