Tuvalu PM Teo slams U.N. as 'hypocritical' in excluding Taiwan

Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) Visiting Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo criticized the United Nations' exclusion of Taiwan as a "hypocritical" act during a meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in Taipei on Tuesday.

It was "hypocritical" of the U.N. to not include Taiwan and its people in its system even though the world body has championed "inclusivity" and "the principle of not leaving anyone behind," said Teo, who arrived in Taiwan earlier Tuesday for a five-day visit.

The prime minister said he had made "a very strong statement in support of Taiwan's [participation in]" the U.N. system during this year's U.N. General Assembly at the end of September.

"As long as I'm in office, I and Tuvalu will continue ... the strong advocation in support of Taiwan's participation and reintegration into the global system," said Teo, who took office in February.

The Republic of China (ROC), which is Taiwan's formal name, lost its seat at the U.N. to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1971.

Lai, meanwhile, thanked Tuvalu for its "staunch support" for Taiwan's inclusion in U.N. mechanisms and pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Pacific ally to tackle climate change, particularly the urgent issue of sea level rise affecting Tuvaluan households.

"Taiwan is also a maritime nation, and it empathizes deeply with Tuvalu ... Going forward, our nations will continue to respond to the challenges of climate change together," Lai said.

In a separate encounter Tuesday, the president met with Saint Lucian Senate President Alvina Reynolds and House of Assembly Speaker Claudius J. Francis.

In meetings with the delegations from Tuvalu and St. Lucia, Lai emphasized the shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, which he said had laid the foundation for their diplomatic alliances and bilateral ties.

"Taiwan will continue to promote values-based diplomacy" and "deepen cooperation with not only St. Lucia but also other democratic partners," Lai told the St. Lucian parliament leaders, who arrived in Taiwan on Monday for a five-day visit.

Reynolds said that their current visit marked "a celebration and a reaffirmation of the deep diplomatic bonds that have existed between our peoples."

Francis lauded Taiwan's government for "fostering growth and enriching the lives of all St Lucia" over the years through joint projects in the areas of health care, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

This collaboration, he said, served as "a testament to the enduring bond of solidarity and shared values that unite us."

The Tuvaluan prime minister, accompanied by the country's top diplomat Paulson Panapa and other officials, and the St. Lucian parliament leaders are among the guests invited to an official ceremony on Thursday marking Taiwan's National Day.