TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Guatemala Charges d'affaires Daniela Ortiz Figueroa lauded close relations with Taiwan at a celebration marking the Central American nation’s 203rd independence anniversary.

For more than 200 years, independence has allowed Guatemalans to carve out a separate identity and embrace freedom, democracy, and human rights, which are values shared with Taiwan, Ortiz said.

During a call between Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Arevalo called Taiwan an important partner and ally of Guatemala. His affirmation is a pledge to “strengthen fraternal ties and collaboration in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, culture, health, and development,” Ortiz said. 

Taiwan is Guatemala’s second largest export market for sugar and Guatemalan coffee is well known and enjoyed by Taiwanese, Ortiz said. Many Taiwanese companies have invested in Guatemala, making the East Asian nation “a major and important center for trade and investment in Central America,” she said. 

The charge d’affaires said that Taiwan granted 460 scholarships over the past 20 years, which have benefited many Guatemalans. “These opportunities have been invaluable to many young people, a gesture that reaffirms and consolidates the ties of collaboration,” she said.

In terms of medical cooperation, Ortiz pointed out that San Juan de Dios General Hospital’s neonatology building was funded by the Taiwan government.

Ortiz said bilateral cooperation has progressed over 90 years of diplomatic relations to build a prosperous future and hoped such collaboration would continue “for many years to come.” 

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) attended the event. Guatemala gained its independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821.