News
Lai has stopover in Guam
President Lai Ching-te has spent the night in Guam for a layover after wrapping up his short visit to Tuvalu. The president landed in Guam at around 20:40 last night and was welcomed at the airport by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Washington office, and Guam's Governor, Lourdes Guerrero.
Lai joined Guerrero for breakfast at the governor's residence earlier this morning. Lai and other members of his delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling and Deputy Health Minister Lin Ching-yi, will stay in Guam until this afternoon. They will then leave for Palau, the final destination on a weeklong visit to South Pacific island allies.
Meanwhile, President Lai Ching-te and Tuvalu's Prime Minister Feleti Teo signed a joint communique pledging to deepen bilateral ties during his brief visit to Pacific Island state on Wednesday. During the signing ceremony, Lai said the agreement "opens a new chapter for cooperation between the two nations."
Lai touted Taiwan's financial support for Tuvalu to build a new parliamentary building - saying the project is a testament to Taiwan's support for the people of Tuvalu and their joint efforts to strengthen democracy. He also thanked Tuvalu for its longstanding support of Taiwan's international participation and said he looks forward to further deepening ties between the two countries.
