The Presidential Office yesterday thanked political leaders from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and like-minded countries that sent condolences after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook the nation on Wednesday.
Presidential Office spokesperson Olivia Lin (林聿禪) thanked political leaders from 88 countries in statements issued on Wednesday night and yesterday.
She expressed gratitude for the concern and condolences offered by Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo, Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr, Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceno, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo and Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
Photo: Tyrone Siu, Reuters
She also thanked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Council President Charles Michel, political leaders in the US and the UK, as well as the Dalai Lama.
Many governments and political figures around the globe also voiced their condolences to the families of the people who died and expressed support for Taiwan.
“Canada stands ready to provide support and has reached out to Taiwanese officials. We’re also engaging to make sure affected Canadians have the support they need,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference on Wednesday.
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet posted messages on X.
The EU and the UK expressed readiness to provide assistance, Michel and British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron wrote separately on X.
The French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs in a statement offered condolences to the bereaved families and pledged support for the people of Taiwan during their ordeal.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis in a post on the ministry’s official X account offered “sincere condolences” to those affected by the earthquake, adding: “We wish for the swift recovery of the injured and stand ready to offer assistance in the disaster response efforts.”
Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen offered prayers to “the brave people of Taiwan and our allies in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong (黃英賢) expressed condolences on behalf of Australians, adding that the country is working with Taipei and Tokyo to check if any Australians were affected.
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Taiwan ... especially all those directly affected and with loved ones missing.”
The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sympathy for those affected in a statement.
Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara said: “Thai people join me in wishing that the rehabilitation and recovery efforts will be swift and that the situation will soon return to normalcy.”
In a pre-recorded video, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said that “we have expressed our sympathy to those who have suffered as a result of the terrible earthquake.”
US Representative Ami Bera, cochair of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus, expressed condolences for Taiwan on Facebook.
“During my multiple trips to Taiwan, I have seen firsthand the resilience of its people and the strong management systems in place to respond to natural disasters,” Bera wrote.
“The Taiwanese people are among the most resilient in the world and they will recover from this disaster quickly and stronger,” US-China Economic and Security Review Commission Commissioner Jacob Helberg, who is on a trip to Taiwan, wrote on X.
Supportive voices also came from former US ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft, US representatives Mike Collins, John Curtis, August Pfluger, Jasmine Crockett, Betty McCollum, Kevin Hern, Ted Lieu (劉雲平), Judy Chu (趙美心), Young Kim and Michael Burgess, as well as US senators Marco Rubio, Marsha Blackburn and Steve Daines.
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament, wrote in a social media post: “My thoughts & prayers go out to those affected by the powerful Pacific temblor. Godspeed to first responders as they perform rescue & recovery efforts. Stay strong!”
Marko Mihkelson and Rihards Kols, who chair the foreign affairs committees of the Estonian and Latvian parliaments respectively, also extended condolences to those affected by the disaster.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine extended the country’s “heartfelt condolences,” adding that the country “stands in solidarity” with Taiwan.
“It’s heartwarming to receive condolences, well wishes & offers to help from leaders around the world. You let us know that we are not alone, & we will stay strong & resilient with your support,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) wrote on X yesterday.
Additional reporting by CNA
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS