7 News Belize

Taiwanese VP In Belize
posted (August 20, 2012)
The Vice President of Taiwan is visiting, and on the average news night - it would have been the headline.

But, with the Karol Mello, the Superbond, Principal Willacy and other matters, it's couldn't be, but also, there's something else: Relations between Belize and Taiwan have cooled somewhat in the past five years since that country started to smooth things out with mainland China.

And that cooling - had a lot to do also with cash: Belize no longer received the lavish budgetary support that it once did from Taiwan. But there are still a number of ongoing programmes - particularly in agriculture -and there is committed Taiwanese community proud of their place of birth, and their new country.

They were at the airport on Saturday to greet their Vice President flew in from a vice presidential inauguration in the Dominican Republic - here's what the scene at the airport looked like:..

Jules Vasquez reporting
Taiwanese-Belizeans were at the airport on Saturday afternoon to greet their Vice President Wu Den-yih in his first official trip since he was sworn in in May.

It is also the first time since President Ma visited in 2009 that a high level Taiwanese official has visited Belize.

So when the official jet landed - Governor General sir Colville and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington were there to greet him.

And while the pageantry never really gets tired - this trip has been decidedly low key in comparison to other official visits.

It's not a reflection on the Vice President Den-yih personally, but it is a reflection of Wu's government's decision to coexist with mainland China and stop competing for allies - a competition often determined by who throws more money at those allies.

No fighting for allies means an end to dollar diplomacy and lavish budgetary support.

Wu Den-yih, Vice President, Taiwan
"Why we decide to drop such competition this year was because we found that if we get involved in such competitions then it will only result in the breaking of bonds of many countries and we only see that some of those bonds are not base on sincerity and long term friendship. Therefore we decide to pursue meaningful diplomacy or viable diplomacy."

"Mainland China also realize that only by respecting the international space that a cross relations could go more normal development. Therefore we decided to adjust our policy and pursue a road that guarantees peace and sustainability. Therefore I believe that the diplomatic relation based on sincerity, mutual benefits and mutual trusts could further strengthen and deepen our bonds with all our diplomatic allies."

With that said, Vice President Den-Yih continued on a visit that will take the first steps towards crafting the new reality of diplomacy between the two Chinas and their allies.

Vice President Wu held that press conference on Saturday evening at the Radisson.

On Sunday he visited Altun Ha and today he had an official meeting with the Prime Minister after which he visited Central Farm. Tonight he will be hosted by the Prime Minister at an official dinner.

The Vice President departs tomorrow afternoon.

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