Official Opening of Taiwan Expo 2022
This evening, the Embassy of Taiwan in Belize hosted government officials, the Leader of the Opposition, a host of other Belizeans and dignitaries in Belize City for the One Hundred and Eleventh National Day Reception of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Opening of the Taiwan Expo 2022. The event was held inside Caribbean Motors. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Taiwan Expo was officially opened today at an official ceremony at Caribbean Motors in Belize City. Today’s ceremony was also held to celebrate Taiwan’s One Hundred and Eleventh National Day. Among the invited guest were Governor General of Belize Froyla Tzlam, Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, and the Leader of the Opposition Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow.
David Kuan-Chou Chien
David Kuan-Chou Chien, Ambassador of The Republic of China (Taiwan)
“Today we are here to celebrate the One Hundred and Eleventh National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to celebrate the opening of the Taiwan Expo 2021-2022. On behalf of our staff members of the Taiwan Embassy and our Taiwan technical mission I would like to extend to you our sincere welcome on this auspicious occasion. One hundred and eleven years ago on October tenth, our founding father established the first democratic republic in Asia. A republic for the people, by the people, and of the people, based on the common values of liberty, equality and fraternity, and yet life has never been easy in the course of our national development. We have encountered a number of challenges and adversities in the building of our nation.”
Governor General Froyla Tzalam
Governor General Froyla Tzalam
“It is worth remembering that global events are reminding us that we need greater cooperation, not only between nation states but among all people of the world for the common good. The United Nations Secretary General in addressing the delegates at the thirty-fourth annual session on 2002 said, we acknowledge that we are living in an interdependent and global world and that many of today’s threats recognizes no national boundaries, are interlinked and must be tackled at the global, regional, and national levels.”
Cordel Hyde
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
“On behalf of our Prime Minister who unfortunately couldn’t be here today and the people of Belize, it is my distinct honor to represent the Republic of China (Taiwan) double tenth day along with our Taiwanese friends. It is also a pleasure for me to simultaneously participate in Taiwan Expo 2022. Taiwan has emerged as a well administered and prosperous nation state with a shared national identity, boasting unity amid cultural diversity. It safety threatened but its resolve emphatic and unwavering.”
Over thirty Taiwanese-owned businesses will be hosted at the two day event. We spoke with a couple of those businesses that are looking to put their products on the local market.
Emma Huang
Emma Huang, Speed Tech Energy
“I am from a Taiwanese company called Speed Tech Energy. The company is mainly doing the solar energy and power storage. So we are also producing items of lithium battery, lithium ion battery. In Caribbean region because like Taiwan you have typhoon every year and here you have hurricane. So, even infrastructure is good enough sometimes you still have the power cut. So, if we can work solar energy or power bank, you don’t need to worry like a break out.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you have this product on the marker in Belize yet?”
Emma Huang
“Not yet, this is the first time we have come to participate in this exhibition and we are looking for a distributor here.”
Shin Lin
Shin Lin, Ji Zhu Consultancy
“The products we have, we have the whitening for the facial mask, and we have oral spray to refresh your mouth. We also have some vitamin so you could take a look. Also the capsule is for whitening tour face, stuff like that.”
Paul Lopez
“Are any of these products on the Belizean market?”
Shin Lin
“Not yet, we are trying to find some agents to see if Belizeans interested and they come take a look in here.”
A ribbon was cut to mark the opening of the Taiwan Expo. A cake was also cut in recognition of Taiwan’s National Day.
David Kuan-Chou Chien
“Today we are here to celebrate another wonderful story, the enduring Taiwan Belize partnership. The diplomatic bond between Belize and Taiwan was established on October thirteenth 1989. On behalf of her Excellency, President Tsai Ing-wen and the twenty-three point five million people of Taiwan, I wish to thank all our Belizean friends for your true friendship.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
