Vice President Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) and his Paraguayan counterpart Federico Franco presided over the ceremonial issuing of a set of commemorative postage stamps marking Paraguay’s bicentennial and the Republic of China’s centennial.
“It is a privilege for me to witness this precious moment of bilateral friendship,” Siew said.
Franco expressed appreciation for Taiwan’s long-term assistance to his country and said he hoped that Taiwanese businesses would invest in Paraguay because it is an investment haven with low taxes and a good electricity supply.
Photo: CNA
The stamps have been issued simultaneously in Taiwan and Paraguay. The picture on the Taiwanese stamps is the “Martyrs’ Shrine,” while on the Paraguayan stamps it is the “National Pantheon of the Heroes.”
This is the third time that the two countries have jointly issued stamps. In 2002 and 2007 they issued commemorative stamps to mark the 45th and 50th anniversary respectively of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Siew is visiting Paraguay as President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) envoy ti the country’s celebrations of its 200th anniversary of independence.
After wrapping up his trip to Paraguay, Siew flew to Panama, where he was greeted by Panamanian Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, as well as enthusiastic Taiwanese expatriates waving Republic of China flags and chanting “Viva Taiwan.”
Taiwanese expatriates later welcomed him to the Hotel Riu Plaza Panama with a traditional lion dance show.
Siew is expected to meet Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and sign a visa-waiver agreement with him.
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