Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the afternoon of October 10, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Governor-General Froyla Tzalam of Belize and her husband. In remarks, President Lai thanked the government and National Assembly of Belize for having long voiced support for Taiwan at international venues. The president stated that throughout the 36-year diplomatic partnership between Taiwan and Belize, our two nations have shared the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights while deepening cooperation and achieving fruitful results in many areas. He expressed hope to work together to advance mutual prosperity and development and elevate our nations’ diplomatic alliance to new heights.

A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:

I am delighted to welcome Governor-General Tzalam and Mr. Daniel Mendez as they lead a delegation to Taiwan for the first time, and I thank them for traveling from afar to attend our Double Ten National Day celebrations. This demonstrates the importance that the Belizean government attaches to Taiwan and underscores the profound diplomatic friendship between our two nations. Belize is an important diplomatic ally of Taiwan in Central America. Throughout our 36-year diplomatic partnership, our two nations have shared the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. We have also deepened cooperation and achieved fruitful results in such areas as basic infrastructure, culture and education, women’s empowerment, public health, agricultural technology, and technological innovation.

Together, we have promoted the construction of San Pedro General Hospital and social housing units, improved medical and social care environments in Belize, and advanced the well-being of the Belizean people. Furthermore, to nurture talent through education, Taiwan has provided scholarships and welcomed Belizean youth to Taiwan for their studies. We have also opened vocational training courses in Belize to help cultivate professional talent and promote industrial development. This year, we launched the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, the goal of which is to strengthen exchanges between our nations’ younger generations, foster mutual understanding, and add new momentum to our bilateral ties.

In terms of economic and trade collaboration, last year, Belizean exports to Taiwan multiplied by a factor of more than 3.5, and Belize became Taiwan’s fourth largest source of lobster imports. This year, at the end of July, we further opened our market to tariff-free imports of frozen whiteleg shrimp and other products. Going forward, we will also promote cooperation on smart aquaculture. This will expand industrial upgrading and employment, highlighting the results of Taiwan’s integrated diplomacy.

On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government and National Assembly of Belize for having long voiced support for Taiwan at international venues. Belize continues to show its backing at such international venues as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. In June, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to support a democratic Taiwan and strengthen bilateral bonds. These gestures demonstrate our profound friendship and mutual trust and will always be remembered by the people of Taiwan. I firmly believe that through Governor-General Tzalam’s visit, Taiwan and Belize will deepen cooperation in even more areas so as to advance mutual prosperity and development and elevate our nations’ diplomatic alliance to new heights.

Governor-General Tzalam then delivered remarks, first offering good wishes and congratulations from the people and government of Belize on the country’s 114th National Day, and expressing gratitude for the hospitality they received. She stated that Belize has been a steadfast supporter of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in its quest for self-determination and to be allowed to participate in international fora with the full rights of a sovereign state, adding that Taiwan has much to share with the world.

The governor-general noted that over the past three decades of bilateral relations, we have done much as partners sharing information on how to develop our nations. She said that Taiwan has supported Belize’s national educational needs; agricultural development; micro-, small-, medium-sized enterprises; strengthening risk management, and more. She also emphasized that the need to collaborate on global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and environmental pollution is stronger than ever.

Governor-General Tzalam stated that she can see Taiwan wants to do the right thing and invest not only in its people, but other like-minded countries. In a world that is chaotic and unpredictable, she said, stable governments in both of our countries and other partners can do much to ensure that robust institutions develop resiliency to deter conflict and instability.

The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Belize Ambassador Katherine Vanessa Meighan.