Dates set for Taiwan President’s visit

The Government of Belize today confirmed the visit of the president of Taiwan next month. According to a press release, President Chen Shui-Bian will arrive for a two day state visit on September second. He will be accompanied by a delegation of Taiwanese legislators, cabinet members, mayors, and businessmen. While the highlight of the visit will be the signing of a joint cooperation agreement between Belmopan and Taipei, the two leaders will exchange awards, with Prime Minister Said Musa bestowing on Chen Belize?s highest award, the Order of Belize. At the same ceremony, Chen will bestow one of Taiwan’s highest honours on the Prime Minister. That award, from what we have been able to ascertain, is similar in prestige to the Order of Belize and is called the Propitious Clouds with Special Grand Cordon. Apart from high level meetings in Belmopan, the delegation will also stop over in Belize City, before departing the country on September third.