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The Republic of Paraguay and the Dominican Republic are the ROC's staunch allies located in South America and the Caribbean, respectively. Both nations have maintained diplomatic relations with the ROC for many decades, and the interaction between their governments and the ROC's has been very close. Paraguay held its presidential election on April 20 and Mr. Fernando Lugo emerged victorious in the polls. Less than one month later on May 16 the Dominican Republic held its presidential election in which President Leonel Fernandez, the incumbent president, won another term. In order to demonstrate the importance that the ROC places on its alliance with these two countries, President Ma decided to personally lead a delegation to attend the respective inauguration ceremonies. This trip marks the first journey overseas for President Ma since taking office.
Bilateral cooperation between the ROC and Paraguay is extremely close, and so is that between the ROC and the Dominican Republic. These two allies have long strongly supported the ROC's participation in the international community. Bilateral relations with these countries remain extremely close despite the transfer of power in the two countries. President Ma wants to take advantage of the trip to these nations to further solidify the ROC's alliances with the two, fostering even closer cooperation. During his trip to the two countries, President Ma will meet with the presidents and the presidents-elect of the two. He will also attend the presidential inauguration ceremonies held in the capitals of each country. President Ma will also hold bilateral discussions with heads of state of other ROC diplomatic allies in Latin America. The president will also find time to meet with overseas compatriot representatives and thank diplomatic and other official personnel stationed in those countries for the work they are carrying out.
The main objective of President Ma's journey this time is to attend the celebrations and inauguration ceremonies of new heads of state in those two countries. In light of his busy domestic agenda, the president has decided that this overseas trip will be as simple as possible, with the itinerary purposely designed to be quite tight. President Ma departed from Taiwan on a China Airlines commercial flight on the afternoon of August 12. After arriving in Los Angeles, California, the president will board a charter flight. On August 13, he will meet with Panama President Martin Torrijos Espino during a refueling stop in the Republic of Panama. He will then continue his journey, arriving in Paraguay the same day. On August 15, he will head for the Dominican Republic to attend presidential inauguration ceremonies there. On August 17, he will begin his journey back to Taiwan. President Ma's plane will stop in Austin, Texas for refueling before heading for San Francisco, California. The president will then board a China Airlines commercial flight that is expected to arrive back in Taiwan on the morning of August 19. |
