The Taichung Flora Expo continues to generate buzz, and the number of visitors has exceeded 3 million. Today (9th) the flora expo welcomed the first foreign head of state – President of the Republic of Nauru H.E. Baron Divavesi Waqa and the First Lady to visit the Houli Horse Ranch & Forest Expo Site and they were received by Mayor Shiow-yen Lu personally. President Waqa recorded The Sound of Blooming performance – the largest mechanical flower in the world – with his cell phone, and Mayor Lu also presented birthday wishes to President Waqa, as well as extended her welcome to the children of Nauru to come to Taiwan to appreciate the beauty of the flora expo.

Mayor Lu welcomed President Waqa and First Lady of the Republic of Nauru to the flora expo and presented them with Taiwan’s unique souvenirs including red pottery vase, Taichung Park Pavilion lacquered box, and East Asian cherry lacquered plate. She also presented the Nauruan delegates with flora expo pastry gift box in an effort to promote the unique pastry of Taichung. Other dignitaries at the function include Taichung Deputy Mayor Bruce Linghu, Secretariat Nai-lun Yen, Information Bureau Director Huang-sheng Wu, Houli Forest Expo Site Director Ying-tsun Chi, Republic of Nauru Ambassador Madame Chitra Jeremiah, ROC Ambassador to Nauru Chin-fa Chou, and Director of Department of Protocol, MOFA Jung-chun Cheng.

Nauruan President Waqa and delegates also visited the Discovery Pavilion of the Forest Expo Site to experience the warm humidity of the estuary and the brisk, cold atmosphere of the forest in Sheipa. They also visited the Orchid Hall in Blossom Pavilion at the Horse Ranch to appreciate the ecology and survival of the native orchid species in Taiwan, as well as the development history of cultivation technology in the industry.

The flora expo is the most stunning scenic destination in Taichung, and it is a pleasure to welcome President Waqa, the First Lady and the ambassador. President Waqa’s birthday was only a few days ago, thus she wanted to wish President Waqa a happy birthday. Mayor Lu also explained to President Waqa that the Forest Park Area not only embraces the philosophy of symbiosis between people and nature but also demonstrates the agricultural achievements in Taiwan. In addition, the existing 1,500 odd trees were preserved and transformed into a magnificent park. The Taichung Flora Expo will continue until April 24, and children aged 12 years and above from around the world may participate in the event free of charge. It is also hoped that children from the Republic of Nauru will come to Taichung to admire the breathtaking beauty of the flora expo.

According to the city government, Taiwan holds friendly diplomatic relations with Nauru, therefore both countries have engaged in in-depth collaborations in the field of agricultural technology, medical care, clean energy and education. Nauru continues to voice for Taiwan on the international stage such as the United Nations. Last year, Nauru unanimously passed resolutions to support Taiwan in joining the UN-affiliated organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

As a hub of bicycle production, Taichung City strives to promote city diplomacy; assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the city government donated 100 bicycles to Nauru in 2012 to promote Nauru Public Health Center’s community exercise program and sports activities in various schools. The aim is to enhance diplomatic relations of both countries on an ongoing basis.