ROC Vice President Wu Den-yih commenced his 12-day visit to Latin American diplomatic allies Belize and the Dominican Republic Aug. 13 as part of efforts to boost robust bilateral ties.
Wu and the ROC delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission and other central government agencies, made a transit stop in New York. They were greeted by Raymond F. Burghardt, chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, and hundreds of ROC expatriates.
The overseas visit, Wu’s first as vice president, illustrates the close friendship enjoyed by the ROC and its Latin American allies.
“Taiwan was once a recipient of foreign aid that helped delivered progress and prosperity,” he said. “As a member of the international community, we hope to boost exchanges with our allies through cooperation projects that are just, legal and effectively implemented.”
Wu is representing President Ma Ying-jeou at the Aug. 16 inauguration of Danilo Medina, president-elect of the Dominican Republic. He will also tour ROC-Dominican cooperation projects and attend the opening ceremony of a job training facility.
While in Belize, the vice president is set to congratulate Prime Minister Dean Barrow on his re-election in March and inspect the results of ROC-funded development programs.
Wu is set to return to Taiwan Aug. 24. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw