Emotional Chou bids farewell at the airport

A small crowd of UWP supporters converged at the Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort to bid the outgoing Taiwanese Ambassador farewell on Thursday.

The supporters were led by Angel Bret of the United Workers Party. Bret says it would not be fitting to allow the Taiwanese Ambassador to leave without showing him how much the country appreciated the work he has done over the last five years.

“Mr Chou has done tremendous work for us in St Lucia. We just wanted to show our appreciation to Mr Chou and his wife before they got on their flight. We have lost an angel – St Lucia has lost an angel and we don’t know whether the new Ambassador will be like him but he was one of a kind.

“Mr Chou has said before he was not into politics and it is true. That did not matter to him. He was just doing his work and ensuring that farmers and everybody got assistance. We will miss him,” said Bret.

The gathered crowd waited several minutes before the Ambassador arrived at the airport. Former Minister for Education and current MP for Micoud South, Arsene James was also present and escorted the Ambassador together with representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs to say goodbye to the group of supporters.

“Actually this is quite a nice surprise. The feeling is a very important one and I see so many friends, although I don’t know most of them or their names but this is a people that my country, my Government tries to help. I am glad that I have such opportunity to represent my Government and to work very closely with local Government to make some contributions to farmers, students and the people who live in the less developed areas.

“It is a very, very warm feeling and today’s experience will definitely be part of my most beautiful memories in my life,” said Chou.

A few supporters handed the Ambassador a yellow rose which he in turn hand to his wife with a kiss. As he made his way to the checking area, Chou could not help but hug and shake the hand of each person while his emotional wife joined in saying final goodbyes.