New Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Kenton Chance formally presented his credentials to Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung on Tuesday, as the two countries prepare to mark 45 years of diplomatic relations later this year.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is one of Taiwan’s 12 remaining official diplomatic allies.
During the credential ceremony, Lin noted the significance of the anniversary and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Caribbean nation.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin said that during a visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024, he witnessed firsthand how bilateral cooperation projects had contributed to economic development.
Taiwan will continue sharing its expertise in areas such as smart agriculture, smart healthcare and sustainable tourism, Lin said.
Chance described Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as a “steady and trustworthy ally” and reiterated his country’s support for Taiwan’s participation in international organisations.
At this year’s World Health Assembly, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines spoke in favour of Taiwan’s inclusion, and it would continue doing so at other international forums, the ambassador said.
The ministry noted that Chance studied in Taiwan and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.
In remarks delivered during the ceremony, Chance reflected on the personal significance of returning to Taiwan as his country’s ambassador nearly two decades after first arriving as a student on a Taiwanese government scholarship.
“When I arrived in your distinguished country on March 2, 2026, as the Ambassador-designate of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Republic of China (Taiwan), it was six months shy of 20 years after I arrived in 2006, as a recipient of a scholarship from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study Mandarin Chinese for one year and to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree,” Chance said.
He said he later earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and mass communication, as well as a master’s degree in international affairs, before returning home in 2012.
Chance credited his education in Taiwan with helping shape his journalism career, which later took him to countries across the globe.
“My work as a journalist resulted in your Ministry of Education recognising me, in 2022, as a Distinguished Taiwan Alumnus,” he said.
The ambassador also highlighted the symbolic timing of his appointment, noting that he recently turned 45 — the same number of years that diplomatic ties between the two countries have existed.
“I am a product of that relationship and I am as old as it has existed,” Chance said. “Therefore, I consider it a special honour to be representing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Taiwan at this time.”
Chance also paid tribute to Andrea Bowman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ first ambassador to Taiwan and his former high school teacher.
“She laid a solid foundation during her tour of duty. I intend to build on that foundation, erecting pillars in support of a broader, expanded relationship,” he said.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also welcomed the appointment, describing it as timely ahead of the diplomatic milestone.
“Ambassador Chance’s appointment at such a significant moment will allow us to witness new milestones in our relations,” Lai said.
