Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of October 11, President Tsai Ing-wen met with a delegation led by Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister of Belize and Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Culture, Youth and Sports. She stated that Belize and Taiwan have achieved further progress in healthcare, infrastructure, vocational training, and commercial and investment collaboration, and she hoped that by signing a memorandum of understanding for an aviation agreement, our two countries can foster closer civil aviation cooperation in line with the spirit of our steadfast diplomacy of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.

A translation of the president's remarks follows:

I had the pleasure of visiting Belize in August last year. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Deputy Prime Minister Faber, and your entire government for the warm hospitality extended during my stay. On October 13, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Belize will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We are delighted that you are here as representative of the Belize government to mark this important occasion, as well as to attend our National Day festivities. On behalf of our government and people, I warmly welcome you.

I understand that this is Deputy Prime Minister Faber's fourth visit to Taiwan. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Jose Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management Edmond George Castro, and Secretary-General of Belize National Commission for UNESCO Roosevelt Alexander Blades have also visited Taiwan before. Indeed, you are all close friends of Taiwan. I trust that this visit will give you an even deeper understanding of Taiwan's political and economic development, and serve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Since my visit to Belize last year, our countries have continued to promote joint endeavors in healthcare, infrastructure, and vocational training. We have also achieved further progress in commercial and investment collaboration in recent months. This past June, Taiwan organized a tourism fact-finding mission to Belize. In August, our countries signed a letter of intent for preliminary studies in preparation for a partial scope agreement. And just last month, a procurement mission from Taiwan visited Belize to buy seafood products. We will also hold the first Taiwan trade fair in Belize next month. These are all concrete actions aimed at further elevating our diplomatic partnership.

During your visit, our countries will be signing a memorandum of understanding promoting the signing of an aviation agreement. Such an agreement, once signed, will foster closer civil aviation cooperation in line with the spirit of our steadfast diplomacy of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.

Looking back over the past 30 years, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Belize have strongly supported each other and worked closely together. On behalf of our government and people, I again thank Belize for its backing and friendship. We look forward to deepening our bilateral partnership and advancing together to achieve even greater prosperity.