BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Belize has re-stated its commitment to recognize the Republic of China as a “sovereign and independent nation” after Honduras announced it was shifting its allegiance to China earlier this week.
“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.
It said Belize believes that based on self-determination, “the people of Taiwan should be recognized as an independent country with full membership in international organizations.”
In January this year, Prime Minister John Bri8ceno paid a five-day official visit to the Asian country to promote bilateral cooperation.
Beijing 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 and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
The other countries with diplomatic relations are Guatemala, Holy See, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Swaziland, and Tuvalu.
On Tuesday, Honduras President Xiomara Castro announced that her government would seek to establish diplomatic relations with China, implying severing ties with Taiwan. Political observers say the switch would leave Taiwan recognized by only 13 countries as Beijing spends billions of dollars on winning recognition for its “One China” policy.
Castro said that she instructed Honduran Foreign Affairs Minister Eduardo Reina to start negotiations with China and that her intention is “expand frontiers freely in concert with the nations of the world.”
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