The Vice-Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of China on Taiwan David Y.L. Lin has said that the relationship between the Gambia and Taiwan is special.

Vice-Minister Lin made these remarks on Tuesday 4th August 2009, at the briefing room of his Ministry in Taipei, while addressing the participants of the 2009 Taiwan International Study Tour.

According to him, The Gambia is very much important to his country.

“We are very much pleased to support the Gambia’s food self-sufficiency drive. We would like to see more mutual co-operation with the Gambia”, says Vice-Minister Lin.

He recalled the recent visit of President Jammeh to Taiwan, and the donation of four patrol boats to the Gambian Navy as a manifestation of the ties between the two countries.

The award of numerous scholarships to Gambian students to study in various fields in Taiwan was also highlighted by Minister Lin. He applauded the Gambia’s support to Taiwan at the international arena.

Commenting on the issue of Africa, Minister Lin further revealed that the continent is still important to his country.

With regards to his country’s relation with the rest of the world, he said, the administration of President Ma has adopted a new policy, known as “flexible diplomacy”.

On why his government adopted the new policy, he said, it is needed to overcome Taiwan’s current external challenges, improve cross-strait relations, and to create a favourable international climate.

He also mentioned that the policy is also in conformity with public opinion among the people of Taiwan.  

According to him, the policy is based on dignity, autonomy, normalisation of diplomatic work, among others.

 “The flexible diplomacy”, he further made known to the participants, have resulted in so many achievements.

These include consolidating ties with allies, foster robust relations with non-diplomatic allies, rebuilding mutual trust with the United States, EU, Japan, APEC, WTO, just to name a few.

“Our foreign policy has entered into a new era,” he stressed, adding that international support is vital for his country’s international participation.

Meanwhile, later in the evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan hosted a superb dinner for the participants of the 2009 Study Tour, at the ministry’s office in Taipei.

The reception was attended by foreign dignitaries as well as officials of the host ministry.