Taiwan congratulates new Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine

Taipei, Jan. 2 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday extended Taiwan's congratulations to new Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine.

Heine assumed the presidency following a vote among newly sworn-in legislators elected in the Marshall Islands’ Nov. 20, 2023 general election.

A congratulatory message from President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has been delivered to Heine via Taiwan's embassy in the Pacific island nation, MOFA said in a news release.

As a staunch ally of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of China (Taiwan) will continue to work with the Pacific island nation in areas such as food security, medical care, infrastructure, climate change adaptation and women's empowerment to deepen the friendship between the two countries, MOFA said.

Taiwan will soon send an envoy to the Marshall Islands to congratulate Heine and her new Cabinet members on their election in person, the ministry added.

This is Heine’s second stint as president, having previously served from 2016 until 2020, when she was voted out of office and replaced by David Kabua in a 12-20 vote.