Taiwanese prepare for Premier’s visit
His chartered jet took off an hour late and we are told that Taiwanese Premier Yu Shyi-kun and a thirty-eight-member entourage should just now be touching down at the Philip Goldson International Airport. The visit is the last leg of a trip that included stops in Haiti, Panama and Costa Rica, and will last less than twenty-four hours. What Premier Yu will find is a Belizean government fully committed to a mutually beneficial political and economic embrace, even though the Belizean public is still unable to reconcile that bilateral friendship with an immigration policy which seems to be sold to the highest bidder. Today, in advance of the visit, News 5’s Janelle Chanona canvassed opinion amongst the Taiwanese community in Belize City.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Today dozens of flags graced fences along the Northern Highway as the Taiwanese community in Belize prepared to welcome the Premier of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Yu Shyi-kun. This is Premier Yu’s first official visit since his appointment in February of this year and is the last stop on his Central American tour.
Jenny Chen
“He was, he’s been at different levels of work in the government, yeah he’s a good man…very, very good. Everybody is real happy that’s why everybody puts up their flags to welcome him.”
According to the last national census conducted in 2000, there are approximately seven hundred Taiwanese-born Belizeans, living primarily in the Belize and Cayo Districts. But because of the language barrier, it is believed the real number is much higher.
The Taiwanese have established themselves in Belize in several economic areas especially in the agricultural sector. Culturally, Taiwan has also made significant donations to several important projects, like the Museum of Belize.
Simon Quan, President, Belize Chinese Association
“Personally, I would say thank you for helping Belize plenty…just like that so.”
So what will the Taiwanese Belizeans tell the visiting dignitary about their new homeland?
Eva Chang
“The people are friendly, yeah sometimes they friendly. And the environment is good…like you know, we have fresh air, naturals around. I really appreciate here.”
Ann Chou
“I am satisfied with this kind of life, that’s enough.”
Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
Premier Yu and his delegation will have a full schedule beginning with a dinner tonight, talks tomorrow in Belmopan before returning to Belize City for a tour of the Museum of Belize, a press conference, the donation of two hundred thousand dollars for a Garifuna Museum and the signing of a joint communiqué. This is the third high level Taiwanese visit in less than four years. Vincent Siew, Premier in the previous Taiwanese government, came in January 1999, while Vice President Annette Lu visited in September 2000, leaving the country just as Hurricane Keith arrived. Viewers should note that while Taiwanese in Belize maintain a high profile as large landowners and investors, the majority of Chinese in Belize originate in the Peoples Republic of China on the mainland. These are the Chinese familiar to most Belizeans as owners of small shops and restaurants in urban areas throughout the country.
