It was raining cats and dogs on the morning of Tuesday, December 3 in the capital city of Majuro in the Marshall Islands. The President of the Republic of China, Taiwan Lai Ching-Te was scheduled to land within the hour and government officials were worried that the heavy rain would cancel out the grand reception at the Amata Kabua International Airport. And like a blessing in disguise, the gray skies slowly faded away and the heavy rain came to a halt just minutes before the presidential plane began descending on the tarmac.

Relieved, the welcoming party rolled out the red carpet, positioned students and members of the local Taiwanese community alongside Taiwan flags and welcome signs for the arrival. On cue, the Honor Guards marched to the entrance of the plane with the ROC, Taiwan and Marshallese flags hoisted and formed an arch for the arriving delegates. RMI President Hilda Heine, First Gentleman Tommy Kijiner Jr and members of the Majuro royal family welcomed President Lai with warm hugs and traditional leis. President Hilda Heine hosted a state dinner in honor of President Lai following a full day of visitations and official tours.

A large contingent of foreign media from Taiwan accompanied the presidential visit. President Lai chose Marshall Islands as his first stop in an effort to sustain and strengthen diplomatic ties with its three South Pacific island nation: RMI, Tuvalu and Palau. To date, Taiwan has 12 countries that recognize its independence from Beijing: Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, RMI, Palau, Paraguay, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini and Tuvalu.