TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Taiwan’s President His Excellency Lai Ching-te has expressed hope for broader international cooperation between St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China (Taiwan) with the establishment of the sister-city ties with Taipei and Tainan.
Meeting St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew on Friday, President Lai said the sister-city agreements mark a significant expansion of bilateral ties from the national level to city-to-city collaboration.
He welcomed Dr. Drew, on his third visit since taking office, and congratulated him on being named among the world’s most influential people of African descent. Lai also wished St. Kitts and Nevis success as it prepares to assume the rotating chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) next year.
The Taiwan president noted that cooperation has deepened in agriculture, public health, education, and women’s empowerment, adding that both leaders’ medical backgrounds have helped advance joint health projects.
Dr. Drew said Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis share more than 40 years of friendship, with Taiwan contributing to infrastructure, technology, and education. Taiwan’s scholarships, he added, have trained many of the country’s doctors, engineers, and ICT professionals. He expressed hope for expanded cooperation in technology, culture, youth development, and municipal governance. Drew praised Taiwan’s medical achievements and reaffirmed his country’s firm support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
“By especially representing Basseterre in establishing sister-city ties with Taipei and Tainan, this symbolizes that the development of relations between our two countries is deepening from the national level down to the city level, allowing bilateral cooperation to become closer and more connected to people’s everyday lives. We also look forward to more diverse international cooperation between our countries, so we can contribute even more to the world together,” Lai said.