Guatemala will continue its support for Taiwan through concrete action, Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Ramiro Martinez said on Wednesday at an event in Guatemala City to mark 90 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Taiwan was represented by Ambassador to Guatemala Vivia Chang (張俊菲) at the event at the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Republic of China (ROC) and Guatemala established diplomatic relations in 1934, with Taiwan establishing its first consulate general there in 1935, followed by a foreign legation in 1954 and an embassy in October 1960, Martinez said.
Photo: CNA
On Sept. 22, 2005, Taiwan and Guatemala signed a free-trade agreement, which took effect on July 1, 2006, he said.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation on Oct. 31 last year, a basic Taiwan-Guatemala cooperation agreement in April last year and an agreement of mutual recognition in May 2021, Martinez said.
The agreements are the foundation for greater bilateral economic trade, provide opportunities for Guatemala’s exports and establish strategic partnerships across industries, he said.
Martinez thanked Taiwan for its support in education, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors.
Taiwan is not only a partner, but also a strategic investor in Guatemala’s economy, promoting growth in areas such as manufacturing, ecology and trade, Martinez said.
Taiwan and Guatemala’s 90 years of diplomatic ties have developed a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership, Martinez said, adding that Guatemala would continue to be a strong supporter of Taiwan.
Ninety is more than just a number — it represents a deep friendship and shared vision, Chang said.
Taiwan thanked Guatemala for supporting its admission to international organizations such as the WHO, the UN, this year’s UN Climate Change Conference and Interpol, she said.
Taiwan wants to support more bilateral cooperation with Guatemala, she said.
This year more than 60 Taiwanese firms visited the Central American nation to look for opportunities for collaboration in industries including coffee and textiles, she said.
More than 525 students from Guatemala have received vocational training in Taiwan or participated in exchange programs, adding to the bilateral friendship, she said.
Traditional dancers organized by the Guatemala Institute of Tourism, a lion dance organized by the Taipei-based Overseas Chinese Association and a group of local students singing Tian Mi Mi (甜蜜蜜) and The Moon Represents My Heart (月亮代表我的心) performed at the event.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College