President Tsai: “Belize has helped give voice to the 23 million people of Taiwan”
BELMOPAN, Mon. Apr. 3, 2023
For a second time since assuming office in 2016, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. Dr. Tsai Ing-wen graced the National Assembly in Belmopan for a joint sitting of Parliament on Monday, April 3. Prime Minister John Briceño gave President Tsai a warm welcome, asserting “our House is your House.” Citing a shared, deep appreciation for social, economic and environmental justice, Prime Minister Briceño averred, “… no force or ocean will keep us from working together for the advancement of these just objectives.”
Pointing to Taiwan’s contributions, not only to Belize’s development but to that of other nations, PM Briceño remarked, “This is why we so desire to have Taiwan represented in world organisations like the United Nations, not only because the 23 million people who live in Taiwan deserve to be represented, but also so that together we can promote our shared values like democracy, the right of peoples to self-determination and respect for international law … This is a historic day because you, Madam President, have crossed oceans to come to our shore to celebrate these values, strengthen this partnership, and reaffirm our commitment to prosperity for our people.”
In her almost 12-minute presentation to the House and Senate, President Tsai expressed delight to be back in Belize. She described “expansionist threats from authoritarian regimes” as the greatest challenge for both nations. Referencing continued exclusion from international forums and Belize’s advocacy for Taiwan’s international participation, President Tsai proclaimed that Belize “has helped give voice to the 23 million people of Taiwan”.
President Tsai stated that, “as a grateful friend, Taiwan is honoured to play a role in assisting Belize’s national development …,” with bilateral cooperation having been stepped up in the last two years. She listed road upgrades, clean water provision in rural areas, a women’s empowerment project, scholarships and internet access to schools as some projects embarked upon.
Looking to the future, President Tsai remarked that as Belize’s 10th largest trading partner, the country looks forward to opening even more avenues for cooperation. She reported, “Since the Taiwan-Belize Economic Cooperation Agreement took effect last January, Belizean exports to Taiwan in 2022 increased to 317 percent of the amount in 2021, that is US $3.24 million. One such example is Marie Sharp’s hot sauce, which is already very popular in Taiwan, and also one of my personal favorites. Steps are also being taken to realize the potential of Belize’s seafood industry. A letter of intent was signed last year between companies from our two countries for the import of US $2 million worth of Belizean lobsters. Our government is working to facilitate and accelerate the import of marine products from Belize …” Additionally, a coffee and cacao mission is exploring cooperation opportunities.
President Tsai affirmed that despite the distance between both countries, “… our connection is intimate and strong …” and “While we recognize that there are countries that seek to insert a wedge into this friendship, we have remained close because of our common values and our shared vision for a more prosperous and peaceful future. We will also continue to work together to demonstrate that democracies help one another and we deliver.” In closing, President Tsai reiterated a pronouncement made in the National Assembly during her last visit in August 2018— that “‘the friendship between Taiwan and Belize is not built on empty promises or the political whims of our leadership.’ This is a friendship that, for the past 34 years, has led to results that have benefitted people from both our countries.”