President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) welcomed Marshall Islands President Hilda C. Heine with full military honors on Tuesday morning, marking her first visit to Taiwan since beginning her second term in office.
Despite heavy rainfall, the ceremonial welcome proceeded at the Presidential Office Plaza. Following a 21-gun salute and the playing of both national anthems, the military ceremony continued smoothly, and both leaders delivered speeches.
Lai recalled the warm reception he received during his state visit to the Marshall Islands last December and expressed gratitude for the Marshallese government's steadfast support of their diplomatic ties.
He emphasized the shared Austronesian cultural heritage between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands, describing the two countries as close and like-minded partners. Over the course of their 27-year diplomatic relationship, he noted that the two nations have developed strong cooperation in healthcare, agriculture, fisheries, education, and climate change. He expressed hope for even closer collaboration and mutual prosperity in the future.
Heine, now visiting Taiwan for the seventh time as head of state, reaffirmed the Marshall Islands' consistent support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the United Nations system. She stressed that Taiwan’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law deserves recognition from the international community.
In view of recent global developments, Heine called on the world to recognize and uphold the fundamental rights of Taiwan’s 23 million people, emphasizing the urgency of this support.