President William Lai (賴清德) met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo at the Presidential Office in Taipei with full military honors.
The two signed agreements, including a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would boost cooperation in the semiconductor field to increase Guatemala’s microchip capabilities and an MOU to establish a framework for political consultations, which would ensure regular, strategic coordination on key issues.
The two countries would continue to build a mutually beneficial partnership in the face of mounting global challenges, Lai said, adding that the agreements would create new opportunities for cooperation.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Arevalo, accompanied by his wife, and foreign and economic ministers, arrived in Taiwan yesterday, his first visit to the nation since taking office last year.
Last year also marked the 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala, one of Taiwan’s 12 UN-recognized diplomatic allies.
"Our two countries are geographically distant, but the ideals and values of the two peoples are closely intertwined," Lai said, adding that the long-standing partnership reflects their shared commitment to democracy, freedom and human rights.
Ties have grown closer in the past few years, bringing a multitude of successes as cooperation expanded and diversified in the fields of health and sanitation, education and culture, science and technology and economic trade, he said.
Taiwan would continue to work closely with Guatemala to provide youth exchange programs and scholarships to foster exceptional talent in science, technology and communications, he added.
Lai encouraged Taiwanese businesses to invest in Guatemala and utilize its strategic location, natural resources and strong workforce to improve supply chain resilience and promote bilateral relations.
The delegation is to visit Hsinchu Science Park and the headquarters of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co this week.
Guatemala last month sent a mission of 28 engineers to Taiwan for a three-week intensive training program in semiconductors.
This week's visit reaffirms the two nations’ close ties and marks “a new level” in the bilateral relationship focused on expanding economic cooperation, solidifying an economic trade partnership and investing in educational opportunities for the citizens of both countries, Arevalo said.
"On behalf of the people of Guatemala, I extend our hand to the people of Taiwan with the confidence that we will walk together along the path toward shared well-being, which we will make more profound and more comprehensive today," he said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or
RSS