By Ahford Peters
St Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, St Claire Leacock, is advocating the deepening of relations with Taiwan, building on the strong bridges not only to strengthen friendship but be more like family.
Leacock spoke of his 4-month-old New Democratic Party (NDP) administration’s vision of becoming family through strengthening and deepening the almost 45-year-old relations shortly after arriving with his delegation at Taoyuan International Airport, where they were received by Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi on an official visit on Tuesday.
“We note with deep and profound appreciation, the tremendous assistance and brotherly relationships that we have enjoyed near 45 years across many sectors – education, agriculture, infrastructure, social development, fisheries. And while we do not come with cupped hands, begging, or saluting hands, we come with open minds and hearts and spirits to build on the strong bridges of friendship that have existed over the years, and the determination and the will and resilience that collectively will make the world a better place,” Leacock said as he delivered a message on behalf of Governor-General Stanley John, Prime Minister Godwin Friday, and the government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Leacock said collectively they were looking forward to being good ambassadors in Taiwan in the company of this country’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Kenton Chance and his wife, Symantha, who were present on their arrival.
Leacock said Friday has given him “a great task” to be in Taiwan on their first visit, the NDP having been elected to govern in the Nov. 27 general elections.
He said Friday, more than many, is appreciative of the fact that both countries “have hit the ground running”, not just with Taiwan having an open embrace and recognition of the continuity that represents government, but “a very profound signal that you are ready to do business with this new administration of the new Democratic Party”.
“We equally, with eyes, hands, ears, nose, are waiting with bated breath to build on the early 17 years that we had when we were under Sir James Mitchell, who had a great relationship with the people of Taiwan. And we look forward to building those bridges, perhaps not from an infrastructural point of view, but for keeping the body and soul and advancing our society to be a first-world society, like yourselves, someday,” he said.
Leacock said he and his delegation are looking forward to the opportunity to meet with other ministers of government while in Taiwan, and to see the great nation-state that has done so well across the world.
“I am going to be very open and bold that I trust that I leave better than I have arrived, through the representations I will make to different quarters, with your foreign ministry, with your police, with your defence ministries, and quite naturally, with your esteemed President, President Lai.
Leacock said that during his five-day visit, he would be having ministry-to-ministry discussions on how best “we can build upon that solid foundation that we have laid between our good selves.”
“And we are most optimistic that the generosity that you have exercised over the very many years of us, will on this occasion grow even faster, and bear fruits that will be long-lasting for the life and people of St. Vincent the Grenadine. As all knows, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, whenever there is a gathering between yourselves and ourselves, there is a common phraseology. We are friends, but more so, we are family,” Leacock said, indicating the strength of the existing friendship.
Leacock said it is “the consequence of 45 years of good living”, and that it is left to the people “to build on that solid foundation by successive governments and regimes, and make the place better for all of us”.
Other members of the delegation are: Heritage and social development minister Shevern John; junior minister in the Ministry of Education, Laverne King; and Leacock’s wife, Margaret, a retired educator and currently a florist.
Sheer hypocrisy!
The NDP government has repeatedly promised to sever ties with Taiwan in exchange for patronage from mainland China, a move that would give us much more help than the illegitimate renegade province of Taiwan is currently providing, as aid to countries like Dominica clearly demonstrates.
Taiwan, officially but pretentiously known as the Republic of China, has not been a member of the United Nations since 1971, when the People’s Republic of China took its seat. Despite efforts to participate in various UN activities, Taiwan’s membership has been largely denied due to legitimate pressure from China.
Very good i like it