So UDP Dangriga Rep and Minister of State Frank Pawpa Mena went to Hong Kong - which is under Chinese control, and known as a Special administration Region of China.
But it's not considered "mainland China."
But, he's just a Minister of State - Patrick Faber is the Deputy Prime Minister - so the big burning question is: did he go to Beijing? He denied it on the house floor but we put it squarely to him outside the house meeting:…
Reporter
"Have you travelled to China as has been allege on the house? We heard that there have had been meetings with you and the Chinese."
Hon. Patrick Faber, UDP - Collet
"What has been said is that I have had travelled there and in fact I have gone there with the Boledo man. I would say this that in earlier this year, in May, I was invited to go to China by UNESCO meetings that have been held there and I had thought with the idea of going yes, but the Taiwanese weren't very comfortable with me taking that on even though it was a UNESCO meeting and so I decided not to go on that trip and then there were rumours that I have a plan to go China in October and I think they are getting it all wrong. I am slated to go for the national day of Taiwan where we will commemorate the 30 year old friendship with Taiwan, so that is coming up in October. My position I must make absolutely clear that I am 100% in support of the government and people of Taiwan in keeping them as our partner. There were blows thrown this morning as it relates especially to Chinese business people. I think it is an unfair blow. While we do not have diplomatic relations with mainland China, there are many Chinese people who are here and who are Belizeans and the kind of blows that were thrown this morning was certainly very much uncalled for and so that is very unfortunate, including the blow against Brads."
Reporter
"To be clear, you have not travelled to China?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, UDP - Collet
"No. I have not, on any kind of invitation from the BCA or of Brads or of anybody like that, so I am making that absolutely clear. I have not been Hong Kong either."
Reporter
"Have you had any backchannel meetings with any functionary of the Chinese government outside of China in a neutral territory?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, UDP - Collet
"None at all, sir."
Later on in the news you'll hear more from Faber as he discusses whether the possibility of taking over from Dean Barrow in the first quarter of next year.
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