Taipei Times: First of all, we're concerned about your government's cross-strait policies. While Belize has established diplomatic ties with Taiwan, China has been aggressively trying to woo countries in Central America, especially Taiwan's diplomatic allies, with money. How has the Belizean government dealt with this?
Said Musa: We established diplomatic relations with Taiwan on Oct. 11, 1989. Since then the relationship has grown and strengthened. We have enjoyed excellent relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan.
The People's Republic of China is a member of the United Nations and a member of the Security Council, so we respect them. If they send a delegation to Belize, our businesspeople have every right to meet with them, but our government does not entertain them because we have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and we've maintained that position.
So there's no question about it, that we're happy with the relations with Taiwan and we intend to continue to support Taiwan and the right of the 23 million Taiwanese people to be full participants in all the agencies and organizations of the international community.
TT: What is the focus of bilateral relations between the two countries?
Musa: In addition to the agricultural mission, Taiwan has helped us in infrastructure development, cultural exchange and economic development. More recently, Taiwan has been helping us to build the Museum of Belize.
For the future, I would say, [it] is to develop trade and investment between the Republic of China and Belize. You're a big country of 23 million people and we have only less than 300,000. So there's room for a lot of collaboration between the two countries.
Of course, as I told you earlier, Belize fully supports and will continue to support the Republic of China on Taiwan to take full part in all the organs and agencies of the international community.
TT: Do you expect Premier Yu Shyi-kun to make any particular contribution during his short stay here?
Musa: Premier Yu will make a donation for a major ethnic group here in Belize and for the building of the museum and library.
The ethnic group is one of the strongest and most colorful cultures in the country of Belize. We're happy that the premier has decided to make a contribution of 205,000 Belizean dollars (about US$100,000).
He may also make some contribution to some non-governmental organizations and the BELTRAIDE program. The program is designed for the promotion of trade and investment in Belize. Taiwan has been helping us a lot in trade promotion, investment promotion and tourism promotion.
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