BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Feb. 07.2018 – FOLLOWING yesterday’s deadly earthquake in Taiwan, Prime Minister, Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris has sent condolences to the federation’s closest allies.
According to information out of Taipei, the country has recorded seven deaths and over two hundred injured – with officials confirming a large number of persons missing.
That followed a magnitude 6.4 quake that was centered approximately 14 miles northeast of Hualien.
Dr. Harris said, “On behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris expresses heartfelt condolences and support for the Republic of China (Taiwan) and its people in the wake of a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the country late Tuesday centred 14 miles northeast of the coastal city of Hualien.”
“Please accept our deepest and sincerest sympathy. We pray for the bereaved families and loved ones of the persons who were killed in the earthquake, and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who are missing and believed to be trapped as we pray for their safe rescue.”
The prime minister expressed gratitude to Taiwan’s resident ambassador to St. Kitts, His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou, who informed that the 60 Kittitian and Nevisian students studying in Taiwan, including the 10 who are based in Hualien, are safe and well.
“This incredibly good news is based on information that Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Foreign Minister His Excellency Dr. David Lee, who visited St. Kitts and Nevis a few days ago, has gathered from the schools. Her Excellency Jasmine Huggins, our Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan), has also contacted each and every one of these students to check on their safety.”
Against that backdrop, he thanked the people of Taiwan for the support they have given in the past and continued support towards St. Kitts and Nevis,
“My Government and I take this opportunity to record our immense appreciation to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its substantial support to our Nationals who have been afforded scholarships to study a wide range of specialties in Taiwan such as architecture, biomedical engineering, international business and trade, journalism and mass communication, management science and finance, Mandarin Chinese, medicine, nursing and health science, police administration, travel and tourism management, and tropical agriculture.”
The relationship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and St. Kitts-Nevis began in 1981 with an agricultural cooperation agreement and was formally deepened in 1983 when diplomatic ties were formalized.
