President underlines ties with diplomatic allies
ROC Central News Agency
2016/10/06 21:34:20
Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said on Thursday that since she took office in May, she has attached great importance to Taiwan's relationships with its diplomatic allies and wants the world to feel the cordial and sincere hand of friendship extended by Taiwan.
Tsai made the remarks during a meeting with 19 trainees from eight countries who are in Taiwan to attend a training program for international high-ranking military officers organized by the Ministry of National Defense.
Tsai warmly welcomed the trainees in her capacity as the nation's armed forces commander in chief.
The military officers are from seven of Taiwan's diplomatic allies-- El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay -- as well as Peru -- and will be in Taiwan for three weeks.
Tsai said that she made her first overseas visit as President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Central and South America in July to consolidate ties with diplomatic allies.
During her visit to Panama, she attended the opening of the expanded Panama Canal and exchanged views with government leaders from several countries, Tsai said, adding that she also visited Paraguay where she discussed bilateral cooperation with government leaders.
In addition, Tsai said she hosted a state welcoming ceremony with honor guard on Monday for Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, to shore up relations between the two countries.
The president said that the military training program has become an important channel for exchanges between Taiwan and other countries.
As part of their visit, the military officers would not only attend the training program but also gain a first-hand understanding of Taiwan's infrastructure and cultural diversity, Tsai added.
(By Sophia Yeh and Evelyn Kao)
Enditem/AW
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