Taipei, Feb. 26 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian offered his appreciation to Belize Tuesday for the Central American nation's long-term support for the Republic of China in the international community.
Belize has demonstrated firm and steady support for the ROC's bid to rejoin the United Nations and take part in activities of other international organizations, Chen said when he met with visiting Belize Prime Minister Said W. Musa, who arrived in Taipei late Monday for a four-day state visit.
Chen lauded Belize for its continuous development and progress over the past decade. Bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and Belize have become even more solid and frequent since Musa assumed office, Chen added.
Under Musa's capable leadership, the People's United Party (PUP), of which Musa is the chairman, won a landslide victory in 1998 parliamentary elections, Chen noted, adding that the party will be given a new overwhelming mandate by the Belize people in elections slated for next year.
Chen also expressed his willingness to visit Belize. In return, Musa extended a personal invitation, saying that he hopes Chen will visit Belize this year, and the earlier the better.
Musa said he called on Chen in his capacity not only as the Belizean prime minister, but also as chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, which met for a leadership summit last month.
During the summit, according to Musa, subjects concerning economics and environmental protection, as well as anti-terrorism, were mooted and the Eastern Caribbean political leaders resolved that small countries like those the group comprises should cooperate among themselves to overcome the economic difficulties they face.
Musa expressed gratitude to Chen for the aid that Taiwan has provided Belize over the years and said that Belize will continue to support Taiwan in its efforts to join the UN and other international organizations.
Earlier in the day, Musa met with Vice President Annette Lu, also at the Presidential Office, for a brief meeting.
During the meeting, Lu told Musa that she has been encouraging Taiwan businesses to relocate some of their manufacturing operations to Taiwan's allies in Central and South America in an attempt to mitigate the adverse impact that Taiwan is sustaining in the wake of the island's entry to the World Trade Organization at the beginning of this year.
In response to Lu's ideas, Musa said the Belizean government has long adopted a hands-off policy toward foreign investment and is particularly welcoming to Taiwan businesses wishing to transfer their capital and production know-how to Belize.
Musa said Lu's proposal is not only feasible, but also a "win-win" approach for both Taiwan and Belize.