The Sovereign Order of Malta’s Grand Hospitaller Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel received Matthew Lee, ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See.

The occasion was a donation by the Republic of China (Taiwan) for humanitarian aid by the Order’s Italian Relief Corps for migrants and refugees.

“The Sovereign Order of Malta continues in its vocation of assisting and treating society’s most vulnerable groups. Values fully shared with the Republic of China (Taiwan), engaged in initiatives of solidarity and cooperation at global level and in providing humanitarian assistance to the populations in difficulty,” the Grand Hospitaller explained, recalling the fruitful collaboration launched in 2012 following an exchange of visits by high-level delegations to Rome and to Taipei.

“I’m confident that the cooperation established between the Order of Malta and my country, with its longstanding history in providing immediate aid to communities and countries afflicted by serious problems, can give an important contribution to saving human lives,” Ambassador Matthew Lee said.

The doctors and nurses of the Order of Malta’s Italian Relief Corps have been working since 2008 on the vessels of the Italian Navy and Coastguards in the Mediterranean Sea, saving migrants attempting to reach the coasts of southern Italy. To date they have assisted some 45,000 persons, in some cases rescuing them from certain death.