TAIWANESE AMBASSADOR PAYS COURTESY CALL ON THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 3, 2025 (National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis) – The National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis continues to support the decades long diplomatic relations between our Federation and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Highlighting this support, the Hon. Lanein Blanchette, Speaker of the National Assembly, welcomed His Excellency Edward Tao, Resident Ambassador to the Federation from the Republic of China (Taiwan) for a
Courtesy Call at the Assembly Chamber. The engagement was held on Wednesday 3rd September 2025.

During the visit, the Honourable Speaker congratulated Ambassador Tao on his recent appointment and expressed her best wishes for a successful tour of duty. Ambassador Tao, who is no stranger to the Caribbean, having been previously posted to St. Lucia, shared his pleasure to return to the region in service to his country.

The Honourable Speaker noted the areas of collaborative development throughout the past four decades of friendship, expressing gratitude for Taiwan’s continued support in the areas of education, healthcare, technology and agriculture. Similarly, Ambassador Tao shared the appreciation of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the consistent support that St. Kitts and Nevis has provided on the global stage. The Federation remains one of only twelve sovereign nations to recognise the sovereignty of Taiwan. Most notably, the National Assembly has contributed to this recognition through the adoption of Resolutions calling for Taiwan’s participation in several key global organisations. One such Resolution was adopted in April of this year. Throughout the cordial discussion, Speaker Blanchette and Ambassador Tao addressed several areas of mutual interest as well as discussed, the measures undertaken to bolster parliamentary civic engagement. Ambassador Tao was pleased to learn of the introduction of sign language interpretation for Parliamentary Sittings, the improvement of the broadcasting services and the restriction of single-use plastic within the Chamber.

Ambassador Tao was accompanied by Mr. Hsien Yu Chung, Third Secretary within the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy. Also attending the meeting was Mr. Mauriel Knight, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly.

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