BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – President of the Senate of Belize, Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, says the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) has taken a “harsh decision” in terminating the observer status granted to Taiwan.
On Monday, PARLACEN passed a resolution for the cancellation and accepted China as a replacement. The Central American Parliament comprises Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua representatives.
Belize and Guatemala are Taiwan’s only two remaining diplomatic partners in Central America after Honduras severed ties with Taipei on March 26.
Trench-Sandiford, a member of the Formosa Club, said in a statement that PARLACEN took “a harsh decision to terminate the Republic of China’s permanent observer status on August 21, 2023.8.25.”
The Formosa Club was launched on October 16, 2019, bringing together Taiwan Friendship Groups from the European Parliament, France, Germany, and the UK. The club is named after the original Portuguese name for Taiwan – “Ilha Formosa.”
The Senate President said that for Belize, “Taiwan has been and will continue to be a valuable partner in development partner.
“Throughout the years, through regional and bilateral cooperation projects, Taiwan has helped to promote democracy, good governance, and the overall welfare of the people of the region. Their efforts have been unparalleled in complementing our region’s development.
“The National Assembly of Belize and the Belizean people express its solidarity and friendship with the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan),” she added.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has called on countries to adhere to its One China policy.
Taiwan has diplomatic relations with a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, namely, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Haiti, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
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