St. Kitts and Nevis bestows ‘Order of St. Christopher and Nevis’ on Taiwan President

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas (left) decorates host President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Ma Ying-jeou at the Office of the President on Thursday morning

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, MARCH 10TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis on Thursday bestowed its highest civilian honour on the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) His Excellency Ma Ying-jeou.

“The Order of St. Christopher and Nevis” was bestowed by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in the Taiwan capital.

“Being a great statesman of brilliant knowledge and experience and of profound vision and competence, His Excellency President Ma Ying-jeou’s devotion to and accomplishments in the practice of flexible diplomacy, the peace of East Asia region by way of the improvement of bilateral relations between Taiwan Strait and the cordial cooperation between the Federation of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have been admired and hailed by the people and government of the Federation of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis,” said the Citation.

“With a view to expressing the deepest admiration of the government and people of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis for His Excellency’s eminent merits, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, on behalf of H. E. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Governor General, has the pleasure and honour to confer upon His Excellency President Ma Ying-jeou, “the Order of St. Christopher and Nevis,” the Citation said.

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas (left) congratulates host President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Ma Ying-jeou at the Office of the President on Thursday morning

The Federation of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) both share rich traditions and culture as well as the universal values of democracy, freedom and human rights.

“Our relations are amicable and cordial. Cooperation between the peoples and governments of our respective countries is steady and constant,” it added.

The Ceremony was witnessed by members of the Prime Minister’s delegation including Minister of Public Works, Utilities and Energy, the Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin, Chief Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Mrs. Hillary Hazel; St. Kitts and Nevis Resident Ambassador in Taipei, Her Excellency Jasmine E. Huggins; Accountant General Mr. Levi Bradshaw; Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Erasmus Williams and Information Officer, Mr. Charles Jong.

Also present were Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador in St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Miguel Li-jey Tsao and Mrs. Tsao and top Taiwan government officials.