Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of April 25, President Tsai Ing-wen officially welcomed President Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei Falla of the Republic of Guatemala with full military honors. In remarks, President Tsai thanked President Giammattei for vigorously supporting Taiwan over the past few years and advancing bilateral exchanges and engagement between our countries. President Tsai said that during her visit to Guatemala, they jointly witnessed the achievements of our cooperation. She expressed hope that President Giammattei's visit to Taiwan will help us strengthen our partnership and discover even more opportunities for cooperation.

The welcome ceremony began at 9:30 a.m. in the plaza fronting the Presidential Office. President Tsai and President Giammattei each delivered remarks after a 21-gun salute, the playing of the two countries' national anthems, and a review of the military honor guard.

A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows:

First, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I want to offer a sincere welcome to President Giammattei and our visiting guests. 

President Giammattei last visited Taiwan in October of 2019 as president-elect, less than two months after his election victory. When I visited Guatemala at the beginning of this month, President Giammattei said he looked forward to making a state visit to Taiwan. Today, I am delighted to welcome President Giammattei with military honors. 

Over the past few years, President Giammattei has vigorously supported Taiwan and has advanced bilateral exchanges and engagement between our two countries. During my visit to Guatemala, we jointly witnessed the achievements of our bilateral cooperation.

During this visit President Giammattei will not only address the Legislative Yuan, he also plans to visit companies of interest. I wish President Giammattei and our guests a smooth and productive trip. I hope this visit will help us strengthen our partnership and discover even more opportunities for cooperation.

President Giammattei then delivered remarks, saying that President Tsai visited Guatemala just a few weeks previous, and he is honored to be in Taiwan today on a state visit, adding that exchanges between the highest-level officials of our countries to reach agreements for mutual assistance for mutual benefits perfectly encapsulates our fruitful bilateral friendship and cooperation. President Giammattei said these reciprocal visits of our heads of state are even more meaningful as our countries are now in the 89th year of diplomatic relations.

President Giammattei pointed out that since Taiwan and Guatemala established diplomatic relations, our governments and leaders have governed on the fundamental values of peace and benevolence, while endeavoring to invigorate our economies and ensure the welfare of our peoples. Even while facing political and economic challenges and complex international conditions, President Giammattei said, we have been able to persevere and continue on the road to advancing the development of our nations and the well-being of our peoples. He explained that Taiwan and Guatemala have continued bilateral exchanges and cooperation, allowing us to step up the development of our nations, and said he believes that we will continue to stand together in mutual support. 

President Giammattei said that he has a deep-seated belief in the ideas and values that our partnership represents, saying that our countries will continue to work together in accordance with the principles of steadfast diplomacy and mutual assistance for mutual benefits, just as President Tsai described during her visit to Guatemala. He added that Guatemala will continue to stand with the Republic of China (Taiwan) as its staunchest supporter as we deepen our cooperation across a wide range of areas, especially in medicine and public health, economy and infrastructure. 

President Giammattei said that as a like-minded democratic partner of Taiwan, Guatemala is prepared to move forward alongside Taiwan on the international stage toward our common goal of national development and prosperity. Saying that he is especially glad to visit Taiwan again, he took this opportunity to reiterate the commitment to fraternity between Taiwan and Guatemala. President Giammattei noted that Guatemala supports Taiwan engaging in diplomatic work, adding that such work is a positive defense of national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as an advancement toward peace and an appeal for the Republic of China (Taiwan) to participate internationally as a sovereign state. 

President Giammattei, in closing, reiterated Guatemala's unconditional support for Taiwan and wished for the continued prosperity of the Republic of China (Taiwan), saying "long live Taiwan."

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Guatemala Ambassador Oscar Adolfo Padilla Lam, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman, and other members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.