President Tsai Ing-wen departed Aug. 12 on a nine-day state visit to allies Paraguay and Belize, reaffirming the commitment of the government to strengthening Taiwan’s ties with the world while promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.
It is the responsibility of Taiwan’s head of state to use official trips abroad to expand the country’s international space and show the global community how it embraces democracy and freedom, Tsai said. They also serve as invaluable opportunities to personally thank allies for supporting government efforts to secure Taiwan’s meaningful participation in multilateral organizations, she added.
According to the president, the government will continue deepening and expanding relations with Taiwan’s allies in line with steadfast diplomacy and the spirit of mutual assistance for mutual benefits.
Scheduled to arrive Aug. 14 in Paraguay, Tsai will attend the inauguration of recently elected President Mario Abdo Benitez, meet outgoing President Horacio Cartes and hold bilateral talks with visiting heads of states and other dignitaries. She is also expected to preside over the plaque-unveiling ceremony for the planned Taiwan-Paraguay industrial and technological university, meet with members of Taiwan’s technical mission and host a banquet for expatriates based in the South American country.
After touching down Aug. 16 in Belize, Tsai will participate in talks with Governor-General Colville Norbert Young and Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow, receive a state honor and attend an official banquet and private dinner function staged by Barrow. She is also scheduled to address the Belize National Assembly, oversee an award ceremony for Taiwan Scholarship Program recipients, visit a vocational and training school, and hold an evening event for Taiwan expatriates before departing Aug. 18 from the Central American nation.
The visit, Tsai’s fifth abroad since assuming office in May 2016, includes U.S. stopovers in Los Angeles and Houston on the outbound and inbound legs, respectively. She will touch down Aug. 20 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in northern Taiwan. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw