Lai Qingde accepted the letter of credence presented by Wu Jiefa, the newly appointed Ambassador of Palau to Taiwan.

When President Lai Ching-te accepted the credentials of Gaafar J. Uherbelau, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Palau to Taiwan, today, he said that Taiwan and Palau have profound cultural ties with the South Island and share the value of democracy and freedom. He thanked Palau for its long-term voice for Taiwan and its firm support for Taiwan's international participation; he hoped that the two countries would continue to support each other internationally, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and jointly create a prosperous, smart, and sustainable future.

Lai Ching-te said that he sincerely welcomes Ambassador Wu Jiefa to take up his new post in Taiwan. Wu Jiefa has very rich qualifications. He has served as Minister of Health of Palau, Deputy Commander of the Emergency Response Center, and Special Advisor to the President for Public Health and other important positions. He has devoted himself to the public health of Palau. In 2023, during his tenure as Minister of Health, he came to Taiwan to participate in the "Taiwan Global Health and Welfare Forum" to jointly promote exchanges on health issues between the two countries.

Lai Ching-te pointed out that in recent years, interactions between Taiwan and Palau have become increasingly close. In the face of regional situations and geopolitical changes, he is particularly grateful to the government of Palau for speaking out for Taiwan and firmly supporting Taiwan's international participation, whether at the Pacific Islands Forum, the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Assembly and other important international occasions. This friendship makes Taiwan feel warm. Lai also hopes that the two countries will continue to support each other internationally, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, contribute to the development of each other and the Indo-Pacific region, and jointly create a prosperous, smart, and sustainable future.

Wu Jiefa said that he was honored to submit his credentials and officially take office as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Palau to the Republic of China (Taiwan). In May 1984, the Taiwan Council for International Cooperation and Development dispatched its first technical mission to Palau to help solve the challenges faced by food production. These selfless experts were important representatives of early Taiwan-Silk relations, laying the foundation for today's close partnership between the two countries. In 1999, Taiwan-Silk officially established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in cooperation between the two sides in many areas of common concern.

Wu Jiefa said that under the leadership of President Lai, the partnership between Taiwan and Palau continues to adhere to the people-centered concept and bring substantial and long-term impact to the people and communities of both parties. Many Palau students returned to Taiwan to study and contributed to the country's development with their majors; Palau patients received high-quality medical care in Taiwan's hospitals and returned to their hometowns in good health; technical experts also worked with the Palau community to share knowledge, cultivate capabilities and strengthen resilience. These exchanges are the foundation of Taiwan-Silk relations, and the long-lasting friendship between the two peoples has deepened year by year, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Taiwan-Silk partnership.

Wu Jiefa also thanked President Lai and Vice President Hsiao Meiqin for including Palau as one of the destinations for their first overseas visit after taking office. Recently, Minister Lin led the Taiwan delegation to participate in the 55th Pacific Islands Forum, which also fully demonstrated President Lai's emphasis on Taiwan-Portuguese friendship. As I begin my term as ambassador, I deeply feel the great responsibility and will be committed to maintaining the friendship between Taiwan and Silk Road, striving to strengthen bilateral cooperation, expand more opportunities for the people of the two countries, and continue to maintain the common values ​​that unite Taiwan and Silk Road.