Belize on Monday thanked Taiwan for its technical and scientific expertise, and signed a technical cooperation framework agreement to continue joint efforts with Taiwan.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) witnessed the signing of the agreement by the foreign ministers of Taiwan and Belize on the second day of her visit to the Central American ally.
Taiwan and Belize have been working closely together in fields such as education, agriculture, women’s empowerment and healthcare since the two countries established diplomatic relations 34 years ago, Tsai said.
Photo: AFP / Belize Government
The two sides in January signed a cooperative deal to construct San Pedro General Hospital, for which the donation ceremony was held on Monday evening.
Tsai said that she was delighted to witness the progress of cooperation between the two sides and the signing of the agreement, as it would improve the efficiency of project implementation, which is “essential to bettering the lives of our citizens.”
Many Belizeans applied for scholarships to study in Taiwan over the past few years, Tsai said, adding that “I am always heartened by how enthusiastic they are about education and [how they] recognize its importance for one’s future.”
Photo: CNA
Taiwan is “proud to call Belize, a fellow believer in freedom and democracy, our close ally,” she said, thanking the Belizean House of Representatives for passing a pro-Taiwan motion a few days earlier, and the country for supporting Taiwan’s democracy and international participation.
“May our collaboration continue to flourish, just as it has over the past 34 years,” she said.
Belizean Prime Minister John Briceno said that the agreement was a welcome addition to bilateral relations and the many cooperation projects between the two countries.
Taiwan’s technical and scientific expertise have greatly helped the nation, he said, citing a sheep and goat breeding and production enhancement project, as well as assistance in the health sector and economic recovery efforts after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the scholarship program, many Belizean students consider Taiwan a top choice for further education and professional development, he said, adding that all of the Belizean students who have studied in the country “fall in love with Taiwan.”
After the signing, 5,000 laptops made by Taiwanese manufacturers were presented to Belize. The donation demonstrated Taiwan’s generosity and desire to help the development of young Belizeans, Briceno said.
The laptops would help Belize improve learning resources for vulnerable groups, including children and women in rural areas, and foster friendship between the people of the two nations, he said.
“I hope these laptops make a difference to young Belizeans in their quest for knowledge, and help them realize their educational aspirations,” Tsai said.
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