BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - TAIWANESE, the world over, yesterday (Oct. 10) celebrated their country’s annual National Day and its Embassy in St. Kitts and Nevis commemorated the day with a number of activities in the twin-island Federation.
Among the activities was a massive cleanup of a number of beaches in St. Kitts on the previous day, which marked the second time in as many years that staff members of the Embassy of the Republic of China were engaged in that form of environmental activity.
St. Kitts and Nevis is known to be Taiwan’s closest ally in this part of the world and the beach cleanup exercise is only a fraction of the numerous activities that the two countries share in their 38-year relationship.
In underscoring the longstanding partnership at a simple ceremony, Ambassador Lin reminded that the beach cleanup is another example of how the two countries are expanding on the relationship which has strengthened across all sectors of the country.
The Embassy of the Republic of China Taiwan in St. Kitts and Nevis, yesterday, held its annual beach clean up exercise which highlights the growing relationship between the two countries on the same day 38 years ago that they became close allies.
At a simple ceremony, Ambassador Lin underscored the longstanding friendship between the two countries, noting that the beach cleanup exercise was another example of how the Federation and Taiwan are expanding on their relationship which has strengthened across all sectors of the country.
The ongoing cooperation between Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis recently saw 17 students being awarded scholarships, which is expanding the Federation’s scope and is bearing fruit in many areas.
St. Kitts and Nevis has been and is still advocating for Taiwan to be given a seat at the United Nations, but that is being challenged by the People’s Republic of China that still wants to lay claim to the territory.
Ambassador Lin also pointed to ongoing projects in the areas of Agriculture, Health, ICT and Sustainable Tourism as critical areas of development for the Federation.
Eric Evelyn, Minister of Environment, expressed his pleasure and gratitude with the continued efforts being meted out by the Tauwanese Government to protect the environment for future generations.
He also expressed some optimism that the organisers would make the event an annual fixture in the Federation.
“I’m happy that the Embassy would have decided to do a beach cleanup. I do hope that this activity can be an annual event. Because activities like these help us to keep our environment clean, to keep our beaches clean and keep our surroundings clean,” Evelyn said.
Large swaths of recyclable plastic bottles, plastics, condoms, wrappers and papers were bagged and removed from the South Friars Beach area - from Shipwreck to Carambola. And Minster Evelyn reminded that though it is known that the island is a tourist destination, it must also be kept clean for the people of the Federation to remain healthy.
Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards acknowledged the partnership and assistance received from the Government and people of Taiwan across all sectors, noting that Taiwan is a reliable and critical friend to the Federation.
“So that is why at the highest levels at the UN meeting, for example…we were quiet happy to advocate for Taiwan. We do believe that if Taiwan is given a seat at the highest table the benefits to St. Kitts and Nevis can only be greater,” Richards said.
Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant echoed similar sentiments as his Nevis counterpart, nothing that the cleanup exercise should be for the people of the Federation to understand the importance of a clean environment.
