The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh Wednesday afternoon received in audience the president of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Jin Ping Wang, who is a special envoy of the Taiwanese presidenr, to the 16th anniversary celebrations of the July 22nd Revolution.

Accompanied by a high powered delegation including legislators of Taiwan, and the vice minister of Foreign Affairs of the same country, the Taiwanese Legislative president was led to State House by the speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Elizabeth Renner, and Gambian legislators. Speaking during a brief meeting, President Jammeh expressed The Gambia's gratitude to President Ma, the government and people of Taiwan for what he called the "exemplary friendship and brotherhood" that exist between the two countries.

He stated that The Gambia is deeply gratified by the presence of the president of the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan in the country, something he said symbolises the strength of Banjul-Taipei ties. The Gambian leader used the opportunity to appeal to Mr Wang and the honourable legislators to visit this country again for at least one week by the end of the year with a view to have the opportunity to tour the country to see the positive results of Gambia-Taiwan relations.

"One of the biggest achievements in our relationship is the agricultural sector where we are working not only to be self-sufficient in food production but also going to the export market. And with the Taiwanese Technical Mission here, this is a dream that is becoming a reality sooner than we expected," he told the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan president, saying he would have liked the delegation to visit such projects.

The success of such agricultural project, he added, has made it possible, for the first time in the country's history, for rural farmers to produce in abundance and be faced with the challenge of selling the farm produce out. On The Gambia's advocacy for Taiwan at the international level, the president assured that they will continue to nurture the cause and faithfully represent them to the letter.

President Jammeh then acknowledged the immense support of Taiwan to Gambia's development and assured them that The Gambia will "never betray" them. Speaking earlier, Jing Ping Wang conveyed President Ma's greetings to the Gambian leader, while acknowledging the strides undertaken by his administration.

He said under the brilliant leadership of the president, relations between the two countries continue to flourish, re-echoing President Jammeh's assertion that the people of The Gambia and Taiwan are like brothers and sisters. He then informed the president about President Ma?s intention to visit The Gambia as soon as possible.

The Taiwanese Legislative Yuan president concluded by further commending the government and people of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh for their continous support to Taiwan in its bid to join international organisations.

The minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr Mammadou Tangara also spoke at the meeting and lauded Taiwan's efforts in Gambia's development. He hailed the cordial ties existing between the two countries.