Embassy prepares for President’s visit
Thousands of Taiwanese Belizeans are tonight anxiously preparing for the arrival of President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian. This is the two term President’s first visit to Belize and even though the head of state will be in the country barely twenty-four hours, the trip will have reverberating effects for the nation. Shortly after landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport, President Chen will freshen up at the Radisson Fort George before heading up to Belmopan. In the capital, he will call on Governor General Sir Colville Young, receive the key to the city, meet with members of cabinet and sign a joint communiqué. Tomorrow, the distinguished visitor will also confer one of Taiwan’s highest honours on Prime Minister Said Musa, who in turn will bestow on Chen the prestigious order of Belize. Today, I spoke with Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Charles Tsai, who says his President’s stopover is symbolic of the strong ties between the leaders of Belize and Taiwan.
Charles Tsai, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize
“I think when President Chen met the Prime Minister in Taiwan in May of this year, even two years ago and on few occasions, the Prime Minster extended the invitation to him to visit Belize. Taiwan and Belize are very close in many different issues. President Chen is very happy that he can visit some our close friends. So he will come here to further enhance the closer relations that were already existed between Belize and the Republic of China on Taiwan.”
“We are very happy that we join with the Government of Belize to co-finance the indoor sport stadium at the Marion Jones Stadium. This indoor sport stadium will be for basketball, volleyball and other kinds of indoor sports. We find sports very important for young students. If they dedicate to the sports, they will be excellent people when they grow up because it is a nice place for training, which is something wonderful/talented for athletic men and women. Like even Marion Jones is the old famous and I believe we will have more talented sportsmen and women in the future.”
If Taiwan’s largesse will include any help with Belize’s burgeoning foreign debt, it remains a state secret. President Chen’s official entourage will number eighty-six, including five members of his country’s cabinet as well as municipal representatives. He is scheduled to leave the country on Friday morning.
