The recent inaugural visit to Saint Lucia by the 2026 Midshipmen Cruising & Training Squadron (MCTS) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy is being hailed as another major milestone in the longstanding friendship between Saint Lucia and Taiwan.

The vessels arrived in Port Castries on April 12, 2026, as part of Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen ties with its allies through cultural exchange and goodwill engagement. A formal welcome ceremony at Pointe Seraphine on April 13 featured national anthems, cultural performances, and remarks from senior officials.

In her remarks, H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, described the visit as a historic occasion and expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended by the Government of Saint Lucia to the Taiwan Navy. Ambassador Su noted that the last time a similar visit to the Caribbean occurred was in 2005. After 21 years, the Taiwan Navy had once again sailed more than 12,000 nautical miles from Taiwan to the Caribbean, visiting Saint Lucia for the first time.  

The Navy Squadron comprised three vessels, including the Fast Combat Support Ship and two Guided Missile Frigates, with approximately 800 naval officers, mechanical engineers and other crew members on board. Two of the vessels were built by Taiwan’s own shipbuilding company. The Navy Squadron left Taiwan in February this year, and cruised across the Pacific, making several stops, en route to Saint Lucia through the Panama Canal.

“For three naval vessels to literally cross the oceans safely and smoothly for so long is no small undertaking,” Ambassador Su said. “It requires rigid discipline, precise coordination, and exceptional teamwork. In this regard, I’d like to pay special tribute to Commander Chen for his excellent command, as well as the professionalism of all our naval officers.”

Referring to the name of the flagship vessel, “Panshih”, which means “the Rock Solid”, Ambassador Su reaffirmed that the mission was one of friendship, goodwill, and a powerful demonstration of Taiwan’s rock-solid commitment to Saint Lucia and other friends and partners in the Caribbean. She noted that the visit was organized to strengthen the people-to-people relations between Taiwan and Saint Lucia.

Hon. Alva Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, extended a warm welcome to the Navy Squadron, adding that the occasion marked a major historic milestone in the history of the cooperation between Saint Lucia and Taiwan.

“It is with great honour and warmth that I welcome the Republic of China’s Navy during this goodwill visit,” he said. “Your presence here today is a testament to the enduring friendship, trust and mutual respect that our nations share. This visit provides us with a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our bilateral ties, enhance our cooperation and deepen our understanding of each other.”

Hon. Baptiste emphasized that the strategic importance of the Navy Squadron’s visit cannot be overstated, as it underscores a shared commitment to global stability and the promotion of peace in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

“In this regard, as we cooperate under our respective mandates, we enhance our ability to collaborate on some very important aspects of security, such as disaster response and freedom of navigation, if at all it becomes necessary,” he stated. “I want to, of course, conclude this brief point by indicating that this engagement signals our collective resolve to uphold international laws and norms, ensuring that our seas remain secure and accessible for all nations committed to peace and stability.”

Hon. Baptiste said people in the Caribbean are keen on ensuring that the Region remains a zone of peace, adding that the Navy Squadron’s presence symbolized diplomacy, friendship and peaceful cooperation, and not military strength, which captured collaboration and peaceful coexistence over military dominance. 

The visit included cultural showcases, an honour guard parade, martial arts displays, and guided tours for the public aboard two of the vessels, including the Combat Support Ship and one of the Guided Missile Frigates.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Hon. Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for the Public Service, Transport, Information and Utilities Regulations, Hon. Richard Frederick, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Urban Renewal, Hon. Jeremiah Norbert, Minister for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Persons with Disabilities, Permanent Secretaries, other Government officials, officers from the Navy Squadron, schoolchildren, and members of the public.