Vice President Lai Ching-te sets off for Honduras

Vice President Lai Ching-te has set off on his first foreign assignment as the president’s special envoy. Lai is headed for Honduras to attend the inauguration of Honduras’ new president, Xiomara Castro. Before departing, Lai said it was an honor for him to represent Taiwan at the event, which will also be attended by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vice President Lai Ching-te is off on his first assignment as special envoy to the president. He’s leading a delegation to the inauguration of Honduras’ new president, Xiomara Castro. Before departing, Lai said that it was an honor for him to serve his country.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
To be able to serve my country is my honor and duty. Taiwan and Honduras have supported each other through the years, and have weathered threats and temptation together. Even in a pandemic, we are going to Honduras to celebrate the presidential inauguration. This shows how much Taiwan cherishes this friendly alliance.

Lai’s six-day itinerary includes a stopover in Los Angeles, where Taiwan’s representative to Washington, Hsiao Bi-khim, will join the delegation. The group will arrive in Honduras on Jan. 27. Lai will meet with the prime minister of Belize, another of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in Central America. Then he will convene with Castro for bilateral talks. That same evening, the delegation will attend Castro’s inauguration ceremony and banquet, where U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will also be present. It will be the first time that the VPs of Taiwan and the U.S. will have a chance to interact in person. Taiwan’s delegation will leave Honduras on Jan. 28, flying to San Francisco. They’re scheduled to return to Taiwan on Jan. 30.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
We will be taking a variety of Taiwan-made COVID resources to gift to Honduras. From the first day of Castro’s term, we will take substantive and concrete action to deepen our alliance and show our support for the new administration.

During his stopovers in the U.S., Lai is scheduled to speak via phone calls and video conferences with U.S. officials and local Taiwanese business leaders.

Lai Ching-te
Vice president
We want to show the international community that Taiwan has the courage to take on the heavy responsibility of maintaining stability in the region and even in the world. We’ll show the international community that Taiwan is a dependable friend.

President Tsai Ing-wen has tasked the delegation with three missions: deepening bilateral ties with Honduras, deepening cooperation between the two countries and deepening Taiwan’s international participation. As he embarks on his first mission abroad, his every move will be closely watched.

Видео Vice President Lai Ching-te sets off for Honduras канала 民視英語新聞 Taiwan News Formosa TV