TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saturday it looked forward to deepening trilateral relations between Taiwan, Belize, and the US.

The statement came in a message of thanks to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for mentioning Taiwan while congratulating Belize Prime Minister John Briceno on his election to a second term on Wednesday. The top US diplomat thanked Belize and Briceno for their “continued strong partnership with Taiwan,” describing the Asian country as a “democratic force for good” in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude to the US for continuing to support democratic Taiwan and official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Belize. Taiwan’s government and its embassy immediately congratulated Briceno on his election victory, the ministry said.

As a steady ally of both the US and Belize, Taiwan would do its utmost to strengthen and deepen trilateral cooperation, protecting the values of freedom and democracy, and regional peace and security.

Briceno attended the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in May 2024. Belize, one of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies, established official relations in 1989.