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During a reception for the 196th anniversary of the independence of Central America on the morning of September 15, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that Taiwan will increase investment in our diplomatic allies in Central America and participate in their infrastructure development. She also said that our cooperation will lead to greater competitiveness for both parties' industries, creating a new era of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.
In remarks, President Tsai mentioned that she visited four of Taiwan's important diplomatic allies in Central America—Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador this past January. The trip allowed her to experience the close friendship between Taiwan and Central America that stretches across the Pacific Ocean. The president noted that September 15 was the 196th anniversary of Central American independence, and that she was delighted to once again be among friends from our diplomatic allies on this significant occasion. She then extended her congratulations on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan.
The president stated that 196 years ago, the courageous forefathers of the Central American countries displayed tremendous fortitude in the face of adversity and even death. With a resolute spirit, they fought for freedom, liberating the people of Central America from colonialism. In the past, the people of Taiwan were also subjected to colonial and authoritarian rule, and took the arduous path toward democracy. Indeed, she said, democracy and freedom are hard-won achievements and common values of Taiwan and Central America.
President Tsai stressed that Taiwan and the Central American countries had similar historical experiences, so we have an even greater appreciation of our mutual friendship. For many years, Taiwan and its diplomatic allies in Central America have worked side by side—like brothers and sisters—in many joint endeavors. She specially shared her experiences from her state visits. While in Honduras, she observed the collaboration between Taiwan's technical mission and small local businesses for the One Town One Product (OTOP) project. At clothing factories in Nicaragua, she watched as Taiwanese and Nicaraguans worked together producing high-quality products. At a coffee production cooperative in El Salvador, she saw coffee beans being dried under the Central American sun before being exported to Taiwan. She also toured the ancient city Antigua in Guatemala. A team from Taiwan was honored to participate in that city's restoration, a tale of honor that will often be retold.
The president said that the ambassadors in attendance could tell even more stories about the exchanges and cooperation between their countries and Taiwan. All of these stories serve as testament to our friendship. She expressed hope that Taiwan and Central America will write more stories together in the future, generating even greater mutual pride.
Commenting on cooperative exchanges between Taiwan and our Central American allies, President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan has organized investment missions to continue to develop joint business opportunities in Central America. We will do our utmost to purchase products from our allies, increase investment, and participate in their infrastructure development. We will make our cooperation spur greater competitiveness for both parties' industries, creating a new and mutually beneficial era. The president specially explained that she had taken part in seminars with young people in Honduras and El Salvador where they shared with her many experiences of their time as students in Taiwan. They not only studied with Taiwanese students, but also started new businesses and realized common aspirations with them. The president then expressed hope for greater interaction between the younger generations of Taiwan and Central America, and greater cooperation to establish a global presence.
In closing, President Tsai once again thanked our Central American allies for their longstanding support of Taiwan. She said that the people of Taiwan will forever cherish the good friends we have in Central America. The president then invited the guests to join her in a toast to wish good health and happiness to the heads of state of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala; to the continued prosperity of those countries; and to the enduring partnership between Taiwan and its Central American allies.
Also attending the reception were Taiwan's People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), Control Yuan President Chang Po-ya (張博雅), Secretary-General to the President Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee (李大維), Minister of National Defense Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬), Honduran Ambassador to the ROC Rafael Fernando Sierra Quesada, Nicaraguan Ambassador to the ROC William Manuel Tapia Aleman, El Salvadoran Ambassador to the ROC Marta Chang de Tsien, and Guatemalan Ambassador to the ROC Olga Maria Aguja Zuniga.
