Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Belize to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic alliance

Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Belize to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic alliance

• Date：2024-10-31
• Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

October 31, 2024

No. 383

Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung led a delegation to Belize from October 29 to 30. On the day of his arrival, Minister Lin held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca and attended a reception hosted by Minister Fonseca to celebrate 35 years of the diplomatic alliance between Taiwan and Belize.

Immediately after arriving in Belize on the afternoon of October 29, Minister Lin called at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, where he was warmly welcomed by Minister Fonseca. The two foreign ministers then proceeded to hold bilateral talks to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

Minister Lin thanked the government of Belize for its long-standing support of Taiwan's participation in the United Nations system, the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Criminal Police Organization, and other global mechanisms. He also expressed appreciation that Belize had taken concrete actions to show concern over China's intimidation and threats targeting Taiwan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that it had spoken up proactively in support of Taiwan. The two sides reviewed the progress and affirmed the success of cooperation projects across a number of domains, including basic infrastructure, public health, medical care, agriculture, environmental sustainability, information technology, culture, education, and women's empowerment.

At a press conference after the meeting, the foreign ministers issued a joint press release on the 35 years of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Belize, attesting to the two countries' robust friendship and long list of cooperation achievements. Minister Lin announced that significant progress had been made after two years of efforts to export shrimp from Belize to Taiwan, with the initiative now entering the on-site inspection phase. He said that he looked forward to witnessing the opening of Taiwan's market to Belizean seafood once related procedures were completed.

Minister Lin expressedthat both countries cherished peace and upheld the values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. He added that based on this solid foundation of common ideals, bilateral relations had continued to flourish. He also stated that by sharing Taiwan's experience, collaboration could be further expanded in such areas as smart agriculture, talent cultivation, public health, ICT, clean energy, and basic infrastructure. He pledged that Taiwan would do its utmost to foster shared prosperity with Belize.

Following the press conference, Minister Fonseca hosted a reception to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations and to welcome Minister Lin. The event was attended by Prime Minister John Briceño, the Senate president, the House of Representatives speaker, cabinet members, and members of the diplomatic corps. Minister Fonseca delivered an address and proposed a toast. Minister Lin again thanked the Belizean government for steadfastly supporting Taiwan-Belize diplomatic relations, as well as Taiwan's international participation. He anticipated that the two countries, building on this special milestone in bilateral relations, would further deepen their cooperative partnership and enduring alliance. (E)