TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ capital Kingstown announced on Tuesday (May 21) that they have become sister cities, strengthening ties between Taiwan and the Caribbean ally. 

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said there would be closer exchanges and cooperation between Taipei and Kingstown in education, tourism, culture, travel, and business, per a Taipei City Government press release. He announced that Taipei would offer annual scholarships for students from its sister cities to learn Mandarin.

Chiang said two spots have already been reserved for students from Kingstown, marking the first educational cooperation project after the agreement. He added the friendship between the two countries has lasted for 43 years and will grow stronger in the future.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves presented Chiang with a painting, inviting him and City Council Speaker Tai Hsi-chin (戴錫欽) to visit his country to promote bilateral exchanges. Gonsalves was accompanied by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to Taiwan Andrea Bowman and Taiwan Ambassador to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Fan Huey-chun (范惠君).

Gonsalves attended President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) inauguration on Monday (May 20).