The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Central American ally Belize inked an agreement on bilateral cooperation July 26, underscoring the strong and steadfast diplomatic relations between the two sides, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The memorandum of understanding was signed between MOFA Minister David Tawei Lee and his Belizean counterpart, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, during a ceremony in Belmopan, the nation’s capital. On the same occasion, Lee was presented the Order of Distinction, a prestigious honor awarded to foreign officials or other worthy individuals in recognition of their valuable services and contributions to Belize.
Speaking during the ceremony, the ROC foreign minister expressed thanks to the people of Belize, noting that both nations will continue building upon existing foundations as they work toward exploring more opportunities for collaboration.
Lee was visiting the country at the head of a delegation that included Timothy T. Y. Hsiang, secretary-general of the International Cooperation and Development Fund, an ROC government-supported foreign aid organization. They were received with a welcome dinner hosted by Belize Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow.
During the dinner, Barrow reaffirmed the strong relations between the two nations, with Elrington echoing the prime minister’s statement by describing Taiwan as an unwavering ally of the Central American nation. Elrington added that he looks forward to future collaboration with Taiwan and welcomes private enterprises wishing to do business in Belize.
During their three-day visit, the Taiwan delegation visited various facilities in Belize, including the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence, the Belikin beer factory, as well as the Taiwan-supported tilapia hatchery center in Central Farm in western Belize’s Cayo District. The center is part of a five-year aquaculture project that provides Taiwan expertise and experience to the Belizean Ministry of Nature Resources and Agriculture.
ROC-Belize relations have been going from strength to strength since their establishment in 1989, according to the MOFA, with steady advances made in cultural, economic and tourism cooperation. (KWS-E)
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