Mayor Hou presents Ambassador Chance with a gift box of fine tea from New Taipei City.

New Taipei City Mayor Yu-Ih Hou welcomed Kenton X. Chance—Ambassador to Taiwan from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies—this afternoon (October 12) to exchange insights on international education, tourism, and industrial cooperation. Both sides expressed a strong desire to build on existing relations and explore further opportunities for cooperation.

Mayor Hou highlighted the strong educational partnership established between New Taipei City and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Recalling that a delegation of teachers and students from New Taipei’s Nanshan High School had previously met with Andrea Bowman, then Ambassador of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he noted how the initiative gave participants a better understanding of Vincentian culture and customs. This laid a solid foundation for further exchanges between both nations’ youth. Mayor Hou further emphasized that New Taipei’s abundant educational resources and robust industry-academia network offer an excellent learning environment and internship opportunities for young Vincentian students. He also invited Ambassador Chance to visit schools in New Taipei City through the “Ambassadors on Campus program,” to introduce students to the vibrant culture of the Caribbean and broaden their global perspectives.

On the topic of youth exchanges, Ambassador Chance cited his personal journey as a student in Taiwan to illustrate the boundless growth opportunities that global educational cooperation can bring to students from both countries. He also expressed strong interest in deepening educational ties with New Taipei City, and added that St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been building large, prestigious international hotels and upgrading other infrastructure to elevate its tourism value chain in recent years. Praising New Taipei’s substantial accomplishments and extensive governance experience in tourism, education, and traditional industries, Ambassador Chance expressed his eagerness to explore concrete opportunities for future bilateral cooperation and closer partnership so his country can draw lessons from the “New Taipei experience.”


Ambassador Chance presents Mayor Hou with handicrafts representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mayor Hou commended St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ momentum in economic and industrial development and noted the potential for cooperation in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. He added that the launch of direct flights from the United States to St. Vincent is expected to boost the country’s international connectivity, drive tourism, and create investment opportunities. He expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration in tourism promotion, technical exchanges in agriculture and fisheries, and industrial investment that enable both sides to achieve greater mutual benefit and shared prosperity.

Ambassador Chance—who took office in May this year—has longstanding ties to Taiwan, having pursued a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and a master’s degree in international affairs at Ming Chuan University. The meeting was also attended by Director General Hui-Mei Juh of the Secretariat. Both sides exchanged views on future areas of cooperation to bolster relations between New Taipei City and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.


The attendees pose for a group photo.