Taiwanese Press corps is large and aggressive

State visits are not something we do every day in Belize…and just as our leaders need to alter their normal way of doing things so do some of the rest of us, including journalists. In between photo ops over the last twenty-four hours, cameraman Brent Toombs has put together a short piece on how things looked from the press section.

Brent Toombs, Repotting

While most eyes were fixed the arrival of President Chen, a virtual army was invading Belize…in the form of forty-two reporters, photographers, and cameramen from Taiwan.

Here to cover the same ceremonies and photo opportunities as the rest of the local press, they are naturally looking for the Taiwanese point of view.

Michelle Chou, Taiwan TV reporter

“Besides the visit of the President we are looking for some interesting topics. Like for instance on the airplane from Panama to Belize you had two national leaders on the same flight.”

But before you get the idea that a trip to Central America is really just a vacation disguised as business, one Taiwanese TV reporter we spoke to claims the junket is a lot of hard work.

Michelle Chou

“It’s physically challenging because the President?s schedule is very hectic, but there is also a lot of mental pressure because sometimes the President will unintentionally express a message regarding his position on a political issue or a foreign government and we have to be ready to report on that.”

And while the reporters remain ready to report, the gang of cameramen and photographers are equally eager to get their shots…at all cost.

Even if it means having to mix it up with Belizean security

It makes you realize that Belize and Taiwan may have more in common than we thought. After all, who hasn’t witnessed this sort of behavior at a meat pie shop or at the bus terminal?

But when all the shoving subsides and peace is restored, the foreign press does take a few moments to relax and enjoy their visit.

Well at least those that can stay awake long enough to enjoy the Belizean scenery. Reporting for News 5, I am Brent Toombs.