This week we've told you about Caribbean Shores representative Kareem Musa's so - called "fact finding" trip to China and the UDP's condemnation of it as a "betrayal". In the midst of the controversy, however, celebrations of the 30 years of diplomatic relations between Belize and Taiwan continue.
Last night the Taiwanese mission to Belize Invited a selection of its Belizean friends including Government officials, members of the private sector and the media to a banquet. Guests were treated to a five course gourmet meal prepared by master chefs Tony HUANG and Chun Song CHU.
7News was there and we caught up with the Taiwanese Ambassador Remus Li Kou Chen who shared a few words on the significance of the event and the special relationship between Belize and Taiwan.
Remus Li-Kou Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize
"Tonight's function is to introduce Taiwan through delicious Taiwanese fine dining making more of our Belizean friends familiar with our culinary arts without taking a fact finding trip to the other side of the globe."
Remus Li Kou Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize
"We have two master chefs traveling all the way 8,400 miles from Taiwan, for actually a culinary and cultural exchange journey for 27 days and also six country stops but they chose Belize, our best friend, to be the first stop to showcase their authentic and exquisite Taiwanese culture and culinary art."
"Even though today is only a cultural event but it showcases this relationship as strong, as robust, as long lasting and we hope that for example: we can let our Belizean friends know much better these strong ties between our two sides for thirty years and many more thirty years to come."
Reporter
"Could you speak about the similarities between Belize and Taiwan in terms of threats from territorial claims and healthy democracies."
Remus Li Kou Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize
"Well you know what you are right, Taiwan and Belize we are actually similar in size and also we face very very serious issues whenever we face any external threat which is actually going to be detrimental to our sovereignty to our long term sustainable development, but our destiny is in our own hands. So we're always very appreciative of the strong bonds between our two peoples."
"Belize is a very important friend and ally to Taiwan. We deeply cherish our 30 years of diplomatic relations with Belize based around shared common values in democracy, freedom, rule of law, and human rights this solid foundation has bounded our peoples and served as the driving force for our joint efforts in pursuing peace and prosperity in our nations."
Belize remains one of Taiwan's 17 allies. Up until two years ago, Taiwan had 21 allies before mainland China swiped off Panama, followed by three other allies.
And what you didn't see in the story was any reference to the simmering controversy over the PUP's flirtation with mainland China. The Ambassador didn't want to comment on it, but - background sources say - that they are very concerned and believe that no such visits or engagement with Beijing will be beneficial to the Belize Taiwan relationship.
As you heard the Ambassador say, the Taiwanese keep stressing that moving forward they will forge even stronger ties with Belize. And we saw proof of that in a Loan Motion dated yesterday, August 7. It confirms what the UDP referenced in a press release yesterday, that the Taiwanese will finance a new road to Sarteneja. But, what we didn't know is the quantum. The loan is for 50 million US dollars. It is on a 20 year concessionary term, which a 5 year grace period. Now, 100 million Belize dollars is a lot for a road! But, the description says that the road will include two bridges at Pueblo Viejo and Laguna Seca. The current dirt road is 45 miles long. The loan motion will be tabled at next Friday's House Meeting.
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