Taiwan and Tuvalu Sign Joint Communiqué to Enhance Bilateral Relations.

Funafuti: In a significant move to bolster diplomatic relations, President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan and Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo signed a joint communiqué during President Lai's visit to Tuvalu. This communiqué aims to deepen the bilateral ties between the two nations, marking a milestone in their longstanding partnership. According to Focus Taiwan, the signing of the Joint Communiqué on Strengthening Comprehensive Partnership was the focal point of President Lai's extensive visit to Tuvalu, one of Taiwan's three diplomatic allies in the South Pacific. Following the signing, both leaders engaged in bilateral discussions to further cement their cooperation. President Lai highlighted that the communiqué heralds a new chapter in the cooperative efforts between Taiwan and Tuvalu, celebrating the 45th anniversary of their formal diplomatic relations established in 1979. President Lai expressed gratitude for Tuvalu's unwavering support for Taiwan's participation in the international arena and emphasized t he commitment to further deepen their ties. Reflecting this commitment, Taiwan is set to provide financial assistance for the construction of a new parliamentary building in Tuvalu, a project that underscores Taiwan's support for the island nation's democratic aspirations. The construction is planned to begin in May 2025, with completion expected two years later. The visit also saw the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) formalizing Taiwan's pledge to assist in constructing a subsea cable to enhance Tuvalu's connectivity. President Lai noted Taiwan's collaboration with the United States, Australia, and Japan on the "Central Pacific Cable" (CPC) project, which aims to enhance internet and telecommunications infrastructure in Tuvalu. Currently reliant on satellite connectivity, Tuvalu stands to benefit significantly from the CPC project, which is designed to lay a 15,900-kilometer subsea cable between Guam and American Samoa, improving connectivity for approximately 400,000 people across 12 Pacific Island coun tries and territories. The LOI was signed by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Tuvaluan Foreign Minister Paulson Panapa, with President Lai and Prime Minister Teo in attendance. President Lai arrived in Funafuti on Wednesday morning, following a brief visit to the Marshall Islands. After spending under seven hours in Tuvalu, he proceeded to Guam before heading to Palau, the final destination in his inaugural overseas tour as president.