TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Belize Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde lauded close ties with Taiwan on Wednesday (Oct. 9).
“We’ve had a wonderful, fruitful relationship with the people and government of Taiwan,” Hyde told Taiwan News. Taiwan has supported Belize through good and bad times so “we’ve been appreciative of that,” he said.
Hyde said his visit was to mark the 35 years of diplomatic relations and to attend Taiwan’s National Day celebration. “Me coming here was really to say thank you,” he said, adding that the trip has been “insightful.”
Commenting on the close friendship between the two countries, Hyde said, “When you have a relationship for 35 years, that says something. It means you’ve been very loyal and faithful to each other.”
He highlighted the shared values that Taiwan and Belize cherish, including democracy, justice, and the right to self-determination. He said we must continue serving those ideals and supporting each other.
Concerning cooperation, the deputy minister mentioned Belizeans studying and seeking business opportunities in Taiwan. He also said the two countries have signed bilateral agreements “in every area you can imagine,” including health, infrastructure, and tourism.
Though Taiwan and Belize have different histories, they share similarities in the present day, Hyde said. “We want to be free; we want to be left alone. So we can become all we can be and the best we can be.”
Belizeans and Taiwanese alike must fight and defend their way democratic of life, the deputy prime minister said. It must be held to the highest ideal, because “when we do that…then we can’t go wrong," he said.
Hyde said Belize would continue to support Taiwan in all international forums and that the bilateral friendship would grow deeper. In a message to the Taiwanese, he said, “Know that you have a true friend in Belize.”
Taiwan and Belize established diplomatic relations in 1989. Prime Minister John Briceno visited Taiwan to attend President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) inauguration in May.
Briceno told Taiwan News that Taiwan could share its experience to help the Central American nation achieve its national development goals and assist with space technology. “Taiwan continues to be one of our most important allies and we certainly appreciate that,” he said.
