Saint Lucia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire met with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) this Wednesday in Taiwan. Lai thanked the Saint Lucian government for its long-standing support for Taiwan, and expressed the hope for continued cooperation in agriculture, education, public health, infrastructure, and more.

Hilaire, who is also the Caribbean country’s tourism and investment minister, is leading a delegation to Taiwan from September 1 to 5 at the invitation of the Taiwanese government. While meeting with Hilaire at the Presidential Office this Wednesday, President Lai recalled in-depth exchanges he shared with Saint Lucian officials in Taiwan while serving as vice president in 2023, including Minister for Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment Joachim Andre Henry and Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte. Lai said he believes this visit will provide an even more comprehensive understanding of Taiwan.

Taiwan and Saint Lucia enjoy increasingly close cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, public health, and infrastructure, Lai shared. He added that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has focused on talent cultivation and youth development, saying, “Take for example the doctoral student from Saint Lucia I met at the Central Police University’s graduation ceremony in June this year. I hope that he and other alumni who have studied in Taiwan will become important forces driving national progress upon their return.”

Lai said that three young Taiwanese people will be visiting Saint Lucian government agencies for internships in a few days, and two young Saint Lucians will come to Taiwan for internships in agriculture and tourism at the end of this month as part of a collaborative government initiative.

Hilaire highlighted Taiwan and Saint Lucia’s shared values, and pledged that Saint Lucia will continue to speak out for Taiwan, emphasizing Taiwan’s ability to make substantial global contributions. Hilaire added that Saint Lucia will continue to support Taiwan’s aspirations for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He expressed hope that the friendship between nations will continue to grow, and that Taiwan’s resilience, innovation, and cultural heritage will shine even brighter on the international stage.