President Tsai Ing-wen said Sept. 17 at Central American Independence Day celebrations in Taipei City that Taiwan is strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas with allies Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Taiwan will keep working with the countries to enhance domestic markets, increase inbound procurements and promote fiscally viable infrastructure projects, Tsai said. This commitment is an important aspect of two-way ties and key to advancing sustainable national development for the benefit of the people, she added.
According to Tsai, although Taiwan and its friends in Central America are separated by vast distances, the countries could not be closer when it comes to safeguarding freedom and democracy. Taiwan also identifies with Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua’s shared experiences in achieving post-colonial statehood, she said.
This positive mindset characterizes exchanges between Taiwan and the three nations, especially in economy and trade, Tsai said. Case in point is the increasing availability of high-quality agricultural items like beef, coffee and melons from Honduras and frozen shrimp from Nicaragua, she added.
Taiwan’s technical missions are also playing a significant role in upgrading the capabilities of primary producers in Nicaragua, Tsai said, citing successful cattle breeding, pig farming and rice cultivation programs, as well as a bamboo handicraft initiative enabling 400-plus families to improve their livelihoods.
In Guatemala, Tsai said, this collaboration has taken a different form. Taiwan is assisting micro, small and medium enterprises enhance operational capabilities, and helped complete a sea turtle conservation center ensuring the responsible management of marine resources and green tourism, she added.
Tsai took the opportunity to thank Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua for staunchly backing Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international events and multilateral organizations.
Despite China’s attempts to impinge upon Taiwan’s international space, the government and people remain resolute in reaching out to the Central American allies, Tsai said. This campaign of coercion only serves to bolster the bonds of bilateral friendship and create greater impetus for the like-minded countries to stand together in defending the shared values of freedom and democracy, she added. (SFC-E)
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