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A representative of Belize reassured a steady friendship with Taiwan as Central American country Honduras was able to switch diplomatic relations to Beijing at a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen on December 1.
Belize and Honduras have long pressured foreign governments to adopt their position, despite the Chinese communist government claiming that the island is its territory and being forcibly seized as needed. , Is one of the 15 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Valerie Woods, chairman of the House of Representatives in Berry’s, told Tsai at the presidential palace in Taipei that the friendship between her country and Taiwan is stable. She said they share the same values of freedom, peace, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
“We have also fought big neighbors, so we know the challenges associated with defending our right to sovereignty and independence,” Woods said, perhaps referring to Guatemala’s territorial claims about Belize.
“Berry’s is committed to supporting Taiwan and we are in solidarity with you,” said Woods, who is visiting the 2021 British Open Parliament Forum.
In a statement released Wednesday, Mr Tsai said he hopes both sides will continue to work together.
Welcome honor # Belize Speaker of the House Valerie Woods, #Mexico Senator @Nadia_NavarroA, @NDI President @AmbDMitchell & Participants in All Open Democracy Forums #Taiwan.. We look forward to closer cooperation to increase democratic transparency and resilience. pic.twitter.com/ocnVLTziOh
— Tsai Ing-wen Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) December 1, 2021
Taiwan established a formal relationship with Belize in 1989, 40 years after establishing a relationship with Honduras in 1941.
President Honduras made a surprising visit last month. Meanwhile, he said he wanted his country to continue its friendship with Taiwan after he resigned.
However, decades of friendship are questionable after Honduras’ left-wing opposition candidate Xiomara Castro won the election on November 30.
Castro, a member of the Liberty and Refounding Party, said he would switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing once he was elected.
On Wednesday, Taiwan celebrated Cast’s victory. A Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said Taiwan wants to deepen its relationship with Honduras.
Taipei has lost seven diplomatic allies since 2016, the latest being the Pacific Islands of Kiribati and Solomon Islands.
China’s efforts to beat Taiwan’s friends warned and offended Washington, which was concerned about Beijing’s growing international influence.
A US delegation visited revealed that Washington wants Honduras to maintain long-standing diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Although the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is one of Taiwan’s strongest allies and the largest supplier of weapons.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Dorothy Lee is a reporter for the Epoch Times, based in Europe.
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