The Guatemalan embassy yesterday celebrated the Central American country’s 205th independence day at a reception in Taipei attended by Taiwanese officials and members of the diplomatic community.
Guatemalan Ambassador to Taiwan Luis Raul Estevez Lopez said his country’s political, social and cultural experiences since gaining independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821, have shaped the democracy Guatemala is today.
Turning to bilateral relations, Estevez said that cooperation between Guatemala and Taiwan has continued to deepen across diplomatic, commercial, defense, cultural and technological fields.
Photo: CNA
He cited increases in Guatemalan exports to Taiwan, additional scholarships for Guatemalan students and efforts launched after Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo’s visit to Taiwan in June last year, to help Guatemala play a role in the semiconductor supply chain.
Meanwhile, Guatemala has consistently supported Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, Estevez said.
The two countries would mark 92 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations in December, he added.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ger Baushuan (葛葆萱) congratulated Guatemala and praised bilateral cooperation in public health, infrastructure, personnel training and trade.
Ger cited joint projects including Guatemala’s first public specialized cancer hospital, modernization of La Aurora International Airport and a cloud backup data center aimed at improving government cybersecurity.
"Two-way trade and investment remain a cornerstone of our bilateral relations," Ger said, adding that Guatemala’s annual exports to Taiwan totaled US$130 million over the past two years.
Taiwan would encourage more companies to establish operations in Guatemala and use the country as a hub for expansion into the Americas, contributing to industrial development and job creation, Ger added.
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