BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The Belize government Tuesday announced that Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-Wen, will pay an official visit to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country next month.
It said that the head of state of the Republic of China (Taiwan) would lead a delegation “in early April” but gave no exact date.
“President Tsai Ing-Wen will meet with Prime Minister John Briceño, the Cabinet, and other members of parliament, as well as deliver an address at a Joint Sitting of Parliament,” the government statement said, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration will be hosting an exhibition of micro, small, and medium enterprises to highlight the Women Economic Empowerment Project, which the ministry co-implements with the Government of Taiwan.
The visit will be President Tsai’s second visit to Belize during her two terms as president, the statement noted.
Last week, Belize re-stated its commitment to recognize Taiwan as a “sovereign and independent nation” after Honduras announced it was shifting its allegiance to China.
“The government of Belize declares its continued recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a sovereign and independent nation. Belize and Taiwan will work to strengthen their cordial bilateral relations based on shared values, the respect for the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and mutual interests,” the government said in a statement.
China has been urging countries to adopt its “One China” policy and not recognize Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province.
Apart from Belize, the other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries with diplomatic relations with Taipei are Haiti, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
The other countries with diplomatic relations are Guatemala, Holy See, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Swaziland, and Tuvalu.
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