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ROC assists Tuvalu on low-carbon track

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou (right) discusses bilateral relations with Tuvalu Foreign Minister Apisai Ielemia Aug. 15 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. (CNA)

• Publication Date：08/16/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Aug. 15 that Taiwan will step up efforts in assisting South Pacific diplomatic ally Tuvalu develop into a low-carbon country.

“We plan to help the island nation replace its fluorescent street lights with environmentally friendly LED fixtures as part of the Lamp of Taiwan project,” Ma said while receiving Tuvalu Foreign Minister Apisai Ielemia at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.

“This commitment, which is in addition to the 3,790 solar LED lights we have already donated, will boost energy saving and create a low-carbon future for Tuvalu,” he added.

Launched after Ma took office in May 2008, the Lamp of Taiwan project uses advanced solar-based light-emitting diode technology to harness abundant sunlight enjoyed by ROC diplomatic allies. The initiative has been a resounding success in Africa and the South Pacific.

Ma said Tuvalu’s appreciation for ongoing ROC support is best illustrated by its donation of US$210,000 in aid to Taiwan following Typhoon Morakot in 2009. This much-appreciated gesture represented 1 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product, he added.

According to the president, robust ROC-Tuvalu relations span a variety of areas such as agriculture, energy, job training and medical assistance, as well as the International Youth Ambassador Exchange Program and Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders from Pacific Allies.

Ma also thanked Tuvalu for its unflagging support of the ROC government’s push to expand Taiwan’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The ROC and Tuvalu established diplomatic relations in September 1979. (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw