Premier Jiang Yi-huah heartily welcomed an official delegation from the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe led by Prime Minister Gabriel Arcanjo Ferreira da Costa at the Executive Yuan today. Jiang expressed his gratitude to the equatorial West African nation for its years of staunch support of the ROC and expects the two sides to further consolidate various bilateral cooperation projects and exchanges.
The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the ROC established formal diplomatic relations in 1997, and the two countries have maintained close cooperative relations ever since, the premier said.
For instance, the ROC has helped São Tomé and Príncipe to improve its basic infrastructure, health and sanitation, education, agricultural and information technologies, and talent development. These efforts have been fruitful, and Taiwan's contribution to the prevention and treatment of malaria in this tropical island nation, including the significant reduction of malaria-induced infections and deaths, has been highly acclaimed by the World Health Organization.
In addition, the ROC helped São Tomé and Príncipe build a thermal power plant which supplies approximately half the country's electricity and has greatly improved its citizens' livelihoods.
"São Tomé and Príncipe has been our staunch ally," the premier reiterated. "For years, it has spoken out for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, especially in the General Assembly of the United Nations." Jiang added that he believes the nation will continue its longstanding and vocal support for Taiwan.
Prime Minister Ferreira da Costa's delegation, which also includes dignitaries such as the nation's governor and foreign minister as well as leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, arrived in Taiwan yesterday at the ROC's invitation and will stay until November 20.