Aboriginal passion and Marshall Islands friendship: Pacific island leaders welcomed to Taichung with open arms

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Naomi Lai

Formed of two island chains, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) shines like God's lost emerald necklace, floating in the Pacific Ocean. The official diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands was established during Taichung Mayor Jason Hu's years as Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Nov. 20, 1998. Since then the relationship between Taiwan and the RMI has been friendly, with President Ma Ying-jeou visiting that nation with a delegation in March this year. Aside from frequent visits, there are also various on-going collaborations between the two countries.

Since Kwajalein Atoll City of the Marshall Islands became Taichung's Sister City on May 16, 2002, the two cities have also remained in close contact. Mayor Hu and a delegation were welcomed to Kwajalein Atoll City and the Marshall Islands in July, 2008 and Taichung's mayor has gifted local students with 200 bicycles and five computers.

This year. President H.E. Jurelang Zedkaia of the Marshall Islands and his wife were invited to Taiwan by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), together with RMI Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. John M. Silk and his wife, Chief of Protocol Mrs. Neijon Edwards, and Ambassador H.E. Phillip K. Kabua and his wife. Accompanied by H.E. Bruce J.D. Linghu, Ambassador of the ROC (Taiwan) to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the MOFA Deputy Director General of the Protocol Division Mr. Her Jian-Gueng, President Zedkaia visited Taichung on July 2 for the purpose of further boosting cultural and trade cooperation between the two areas.

To greet this old friend, Mayor Hu arranged a banquet at a well-known local aboriginal dining establishment, Gulu-Gulu Music Restaurant, to provide these Pacific island guests with authentic aboriginal music and delicious food, thus allowing them to fully experience the passionate nature of Central Taiwan. During the banquet, Mayor Hu recalled his unforgettable trip to the Marshall Islands two years go and how his delegation used all forms of transportation--land, sea and air--to reach their destination. While the journey was difficult, it had importance, as it allowed Taichung's mayor to represent Taiwan's passionate and caring character. Taiwan's friendliness and helpfulness were mentioned by the visiting RMI delegation, with President H.E. Zedkaia noting that when he was serving his second term in parliment, Mayor Hu was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Hu visited the Marshall Islands over five times during those years--a frequency that had the president saying he should call Mayor Hu a Marshall Islander in Taiwan. President H.E. Zedkaia also visited Taipei and Kaohsiung several times, making him "Taiwan's friend", according to Mayor Hu.

When the Taichung City Government delegation visited the Marshall Islands, President H.E. Zedkaia was still the Speaker of Nitijela, and he welcomed the visiting Taiwanese with the Iroij Council. Later, the Marshall Islands had its presidential election on Oct. 26, 2009, when Zedkaia was elected.

Taiwan's indigenous peoples have cultural and linguistic roots that are very similar to those of the Marshall Islands, and the Taiwanese Aborigines entertained the RMI audience with traditional music, dancing and great food. Mayor Hu also gifted the president and his wife two foldable bicycles, followed by gifts of Taichung suncakes, nougat and dried fish floss to every visitor. He also expressed his desire to raise donations for 200 more bicycles to present to RMI students. The enjoyable evening ended with diners dancing and singing with the Aborigines, together with hopes of even closer future cooperation between the two island nations.