TUVALU GETS $1.6 MILLION TAIWAN GRANT
February 3, 2005

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Feb. 2) – Taiwan has handed over US$1.65 million to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Maatia Toafa.

Tuvalu Media Corporation reports the funds are part of Taiwan's annual aid to the small Pacific island nation, which has diplomatic relations with Taipei.

The Taiwanese donation has been presented by its representative in Funafuti, Doctor Feng Tai.

Prime Minister Toafa says the funds symbolize continuing good relations between the two countries.

The second half of the annual grant will be paid to the Tuvalu Government in August.

Tuvalu is one of only 25 countries in the world to recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan from mainland China.

Radio Australia: www.abc.net.au/ra