President Lai Ching-te welcomed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday with a grand military ceremony this afternoon (11th). He said that this Saturday will mark the 45th anniversary of the relationship between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It will also be Prime Minister Friday's first visit after taking office last year. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always upheld the common values ​​of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, supported each other, moved forward hand in hand, and continued to deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture, medical care, and education, accumulating fruitful results. We hope that this trip by Prime Minister Fred and his wife will lay a deeper foundation for cooperation between the two countries and jointly create a more prosperous prospect.

The military salute welcome ceremony was held at 4:30 pm in the square in front of the Presidential Palace. After a 19-gun salute, the playing of the national anthems of the two countries and the review of the honor procession, the President and Prime Minister Fred delivered speeches respectively.

In his speech, the President said that today, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, he is very pleased to sincerely welcome with a grand military salute the delegation led by Prime Minister Fred and his wife to visit Taiwan. This Saturday, the friendship between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will celebrate its 45th anniversary. This is also Prime Minister Fried's first visit since taking office last year, which shows that this exchange between the two countries is of great significance.

The President thanked Prime Minister Fried for demonstrating his importance and support for Taiwan through his actions. He also pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always upheld the common values ​​of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law, supported each other, moved forward hand in hand, and continued to deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture, medical care, and education, accumulating fruitful results.

The President mentioned that in April this year, the Chinese Navy's Tunmu Voyage Training Detachment also visited Saint Vincent, which witnessed the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two countries, and also demonstrated the mutual determination to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions.

The President expressed his belief that the visit of the delegation led by Prime Minister Fred and his wife will lay a deeper foundation for cooperation between Taiwan and St. Vincent, and jointly create a more prosperous prospect. He also looks forward to the subsequent exchanges with the guests and wishes the visit all the best and a complete success.

In his speech, Prime Minister Fried first thanked President Lai for welcoming the visiting delegation with a grand military salute. This trip is also his first visit after taking office as Prime Minister. He hopes to continue to deepen the friendship between the two countries through this state visit. He also mentioned that when the two countries formally established diplomatic relations on August 15, 1981, it was less than two years after the Holy Kingdom achieved political independence on October 27, 1979. At that time, the Holy Kingdom was still a young country. However, in the 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Taiwan and the Holy Kingdom have developed a deep and fruitful friendship. The two countries are no longer just friends, but also partners.

Prime Minister Fried mentioned that although Taiwan has not yet been able to fully participate in international organizations and conferences; and developing island countries still lack support and are unable to withstand climate change, natural disasters and external economic shocks, Taiwan and Saint Petersburg have been partners in facing these challenges for 45 years, and this relationship has gone beyond friendship.

Prime Minister Fried pointed out that in the face of the current economic environment, the Holy Kingdom government has set clear and challenging goals and will make every effort to improve the lives of the people of the Holy Kingdom. Therefore, it is necessary to work hand in hand with countries that believe deeply that development should be people-centered, and Taiwan is such a country. Taiwan has proven to the world that as long as it actively promotes innovation and cultivates enterprises and talents, it can create unlimited possibilities; it has also proved that a country's influence is not limited by its size, and that the wisdom, creativity and talent of its people are the key. Thanks to Taiwan for its continued cooperation with the Holy Nation over the years, the Holy Nation will continue to speak out for Taiwan in the United Nations and its specialized agencies, such as Interpol and other international organizations, and hopes to do more in the future.

Prime Minister Fried further pointed out that the Holy Kingdom government has also established four major economic sectors: agriculture, tourism, blue economy and new economy, and hopes to attract investors from all fields to invest in the Holy Kingdom. Although the Holy Kingdom is only a small country, like Taiwan, its goal of improving people's lives will not be limited by the country's size or starting point of development. The Holy Kingdom has outstanding talents, unique natural landscapes and resources, a strategic location in the Caribbean, and a government committed to creating a favorable investment environment for enterprises. We look forward to creating more opportunities and high-quality jobs for the people of the Holy Kingdom, and promoting the prosperity of the country and its people.

Prime Minister Fried emphasized that the forefathers of Taiwan and St. Petersburg decided to join hands to develop a friendship 45 years ago. Today, both parties are not only the beneficiaries of this decision, but also the guardians of this friendship. The actions of both sides now will affect the next generation of both countries. The responsibility of leaders is not only to cherish the achievements left by their predecessors, but also to make the friendship between the two countries stronger and more meaningful, and to bring more benefits to future generations. He is here as a friend and on behalf of a new government with great ambitions for the country. He looks forward to working with Taiwan to jointly write a new chapter in the 45-year friendship between the two countries and create fruitful results for both sides in the future.

Including Vice President Xiao Meiqin, Executive President Zhuo Rongtai, Acting President of the Judicial Yuan Xie Mingyang, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Pan Meng'an, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Joseph Wu, Vice-President of the Examination Yuan Xu Shuxiang, Minister of the Interior Liu Shifang, Foreign Minister Lin Jialong, Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission Xu Jiaqing, Vice Minister of National Defense Zhong Shuming, Deputy Minister of Labor Huang Lingna, Deputy Minister of Culture Li Jinghui, Deputy Minister of Digital Development Hou Yixiu, Deputy Chairman of the National Science and Technology Commission Lin Fazheng, Deputy Chairman of the Ocean Commission Zhang Zhonglong, Deputy Minister of Finance Xie Lingyuan, Deputy Minister of Justice Feng Cheng, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Du Wenzhen, Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Peoples Du Zhangmeizhuang, Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Taiwan Jiang Kangte (Kenton Mr.