TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday hosted a state banquet for Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and his wife, urging closer ties between the two allies.

Following a 21-gun salute ceremony in the morning, Lai said at the Presidential Office that Arevalo last visited Taiwan 31 years ago and before Taiwan held direct presidential elections, per CNA. He said the Guatemalan leader would now see Taiwan’s democracy in full bloom.

Lai recounted Guatemala’s historic struggle for freedom and the legacy of Arevalo’s father, Juan Jose Arevalo, who became the country’s first democratically elected president in 1945. Taiwan, too, had fought its way to democracy, he added.

The two peoples, Lai said, share a “democratic DNA” and a strong will to resist authoritarian pressure. He called for deeper cooperation to bolster the 90-year friendship between the two countries.

He said he hoped Arevalo’s visit would offer a glimpse into Taiwan’s development and allow him to enjoy the nation’s cuisine and warm hospitality.

In his remarks, Arevalo said Taiwan and Guatemala have each defended democracy in their own way. He reaffirmed that Guatemala would always be Taiwan’s ally.