Taiwan donating supplies to Marshall Islands: Ma

Ma, who arrived in the Pacific island nation earlier in the day for a state visit, made the announcement at a function at which a mobile medical team from Taiwan reported on its treatment of cataract patients in the Marshall Islands.

The mobile medical mission has so far treated 258 cataract patients on its current mission, 60 of whom required surgery.

The president praised the mobile medical mission which was organized by Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund to offer specialized eye-care to Marshall Islands' cataract patients.

He also lauded Department of Health Minister Yaung Chih-liang's contribution to Taiwan's drive to contain the spread of influenza A(H1N1) . Yaung is accompanying Ma on his current weeklong six-leg diplomatic tour of the South Pacific.

Noting that Taiwan has come a long way, from a medical aid recipient to a medical service exporting country, Ma said he is gratified to see cataract patients in the Marshall Islands regain their eyesight. This is morale-boosting achievement in Taiwan's medical diplomacy, he added.

For his part, Marshall Island Foreign Affairs Minister John Silk expressed gratitude to Taiwan for its generous aid to his country.

Taiwan's assistance has included posting an agricultural technology mission and dispatching mobile medical missions to the country as well as offering micro-credit for the purchase of farm equipment, he noted.

Earlier in the day, Ma attended a state banquet hosted in his honor by Marshall Islands President Jurelang Zedkaia.

Eight artists from the Formosa Aboriginal Song and Dance Troupe, who are accompanying Ma on the trip, performed aboriginal dances and songs at the banquet, drawing thunderous applause.

A group of young Marshall Islands dancers, wearing costumes in the colors of their national flag, also presented a charming flag dance to entertain the guests.

Shortly after his arrival, Ma and Zedkaia held formal talks in which they confirmed the importance for their two island countries working together to fight global warming.

Zedkaia reaffirmed support for Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

1|2|Next Page>>

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email