Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

During a meeting with Guatemalan Vice President Jafeth Cabrera on the morning of October 9, President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Guatemala for speaking up on Taiwan's behalf at the World Health Assembly this year, and President Jimmy Morales for speaking up for Taiwan at the United Nations Climate Action Summit last month. President Tsai expressed hope that Guatemala will continue to give the Republic of China (Taiwan) its full support in the future so that our countries can participate more actively in international affairs and further deepen our partnership.

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

Vice President Cabrera visited Taiwan 24 years ago, and I heartily welcome him back for another visit in his capacity as vice president. The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala are "brother nations" with deep ties of friendship. I am delighted to see Vice President Cabrera and Mrs. Cabrera, who are leading a delegation to join us for our National Day celebrations.

Over the past few years, exchanges between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala have grown increasingly close. In the area of healthcare cooperation, Taiwan and Guatemala have achieved great results through various projects carried out by both the public and private sectors. Vice President Cabrera is a leading surgeon who has had a long-standing interest in the utilization and development of healthcare resources in Guatemala. I firmly believe that the Vice President's support and assistance will enable our two countries to undertake more cooperation in public health as we work together to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Returning to Taiwan after so many years, Vice President Cabrera may have noticed that Taiwan now has coffee shops all over, and Guatemalan coffee is very popular here. Indeed, coffee is an important part of our bilateral cooperation. Our agricultural mission has worked with Guatemalan coffee farmers in a joint effort to combat coffee leaf rust, increase coffee production, improve quality, and raise farmers' incomes. I hope that the results of our bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields will be just like Guatemala's outstanding coffee—high quality and sustainable.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Guatemala for the strong support it has shown for the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the international community. Guatemala spoke up forcefully on Taiwan's behalf at this year's World Health Assembly, and just last month President Jimmy Morales spoke in support of Taiwan at the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

We hope that Guatemala will continue to give the Republic of China (Taiwan) its full support in the future, so that we can both participate more actively in international affairs and further deepen our partnership.

Once again, I welcome Vice President Cabrera and Mrs. Cabrera to Taiwan along with their delegation. Please convey our best regards to President Morales. Thank you.