Taiwanese General arrives for 3 day visit

Late this afternoon, official welcoming ceremonies were held at the Philip Goldson International Airport following the arrival of the Joint Chief of Staff of the Republic of China Armed Forces Air Force General Lee Tien-yu. The General was met by B.D.F. Commander General Lloyd Gillett and Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize Joseph Shih. General Lee’s three day visit to Belize will include meetings with the B.D.F. and government officials. According to Commander General Gillett, the two armies will be looking for ways to foster a comprehensive working relationship.

Brig. General Lloyd Gillett, B.D.F. Commander
?We are very honoured to have General Lee visiting us from the Taiwanese Forces. He is the Joint Chief of Staff and he has over two hundred and seventy thousand soldiers under his command. We are very honoured that he could find the time to be with us. We are looking at how we can further develop the military corporation between Belize and Taiwan. Already we have very good diplomatic relations and economic relations and so the military is the next logical step. We are looking to see how we will be able to access some training in Taiwan and also how we?ll be able to access buying some of their military equipment. They have a very well established military industry, and so those are the goals we are trying to achieve.?

?He is going to a reception tonight that we are hosting for him. Tomorrow he will meet with the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Defence. On Saturday there is a cultural visit to one of the Mayan sites, and on Sunday he will lay a wreath for the deceased soldiers of the two world wars at the Memorial Park and then he leaves on Sunday afternoon.?

On Friday, News Five will accompany the General on his tour to southern Belize.