BELIZE-Foreign Affairs Minister maintains position on Taiwan.

BELMOPAN, Belize, MC – Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca described Taiwan as a “very faithful and good partner in Belize’s development” after China on Monday accused him and a senior government minister in Paraguay of adopting “anti-China” policies.

“I think if you talk to Belizeans across the country, regular Belizeans across the country over the last 37 years, they will tell you that they believe this relationship with Taiwan has really been good for Belize,” Fonseca told Greater Belize Media (GBM) television.

Belize is among a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province and has been calling on the international community to adopt the “One China” policy.

The other CARICOM countries include St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis and Haiti.

On Monday, China’s foreign ministry cited national sovereignty and security, noting that some politicians in Belize and Paraguay have been “anti-China” in pushing for their countries to keep diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

In two notices, it said the measures include denying entry visas for Hong Kong and Macau and prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from engaging in transactions, cooperation, or other activities with the two officials.

But Belmopan responded that Belize remains committed to peaceful relations with all states, to dialogue as a means of resolving differences, and to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

“We call on all states to refrain from unilateral coercive measures against officials of other states. “We will consult closely with our bilateral and regional partners and the wider international community on this development,” it added.

Fonseca told the television program that Taiwan has contributed to the country’s national development, adding, “We have seen the tangible benefits in the areas of education, health, agriculture, our fight in terms of climate change, environmental issues, and housing.

“So across the board, in terms of our national development agenda. Taiwan has been a very faithful and good partner in Belize’s development. So, we are grateful for that. On principle, Belize supports Taiwan’s right to self-determination. That is a principle fundamental to our own existence as a state,” he added.