Taiwan's new ambassador to Saint Lucia officially begins tenure

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's new ambassador to Saint Lucia officially began her tenure as the nation's top envoy to the Caribbean ally following the presentation of her Letter of Credence to Governor General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles on Wednesday, the embassy said Thursday.

In a Facebook post, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in St. Lucia said that Ambassador Nicole Su (蘇瑩君) presented her Letter of Credence to Charles on Jan. 29, the first day of the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Snake.

The snake symbolizes "wisdom and transformation" in the Chinese Zodiac. Among Taiwan's Indigenous tribes, it is regarded as a sacred guardian, the post said.

"Ambassador Su embarks on her mission in Saint Lucia with a renewed commitment to strengthening Taiwan-Saint Lucia ties and fostering new opportunities for collaboration."

"We look forward to enhancing mutually beneficial relations with Saint Lucia and wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year," it concluded.

Su arrived in Saint Lucia earlier this month to take over the ambassador post following the departure of her predecessor Peter Chen (陳家彥), who served in the role from July 2020 to January 2025.

Before taking up the post in the Caribbean ally, Su was the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Geneva Office since 2021.

She was previously posted in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Netherlands.

Saint Lucia is one of 12 states worldwide that recognizes the Republic of China -- Taiwan's official name -- instead of the People's Republic of China.