TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday (Oct. 27) and congratulated the country on the anniversary of its independence.

Lin is on a tour of five countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in his first visit to allies as foreign minister. A post on Lin's Facebook page said he was welcomed by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

Lin then visited St. Vincent’s Governor General Susan D. Dougan and presented a letter from President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) congratulating the country on its 45th anniversary of gaining independence. The letter also thanked St. Vincent for supporting Taiwan internationally, Lin’s post said.

“St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a solid friend of Taiwan,” Lin said. “We hope that Taiwan and St. Vincent will continue to support each other and make more contributions to world prosperity and development.”

Lin also co-hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital invested in by Taiwanese firm Overseas Engineering & Construction Co. (OECC). OECC is a private firm focused on government aid infrastructure projects that receive a majority of investment from Taiwan state-owned companies, according to its website.

Lin will visit five allies on a trip that started on Oct. 23 and ends on Nov. 2, per CNA. His first stop was in Guatemala on Oct. 24.