Published Date: 2021-09-15
President Tsai
Ing-wen has congratulated allies Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on the
occasion of their shared independence day.
September 15 is
observed as Independence Day in all of Spanish-speaking Central America except
Panama, commemorating the date when a congress of delegates declared the
region’s independence from Spain.
In a recorded
message released Wednesday, President Tsai thanked Guatemala, Honduras, and
Nicaragua for backing Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations and
speaking out on Taiwan’s behalf.
She said that
Taiwan and these allies support one another as they face the challenge of the
COVID-19 pandemic. She says they have shared both their experience in fighting
the pandemic and medical supplies.
She also said that
during the pandemic, exchanges between Taiwan and these allies have not
stopped, but actually increased. She cited the example of an agreement Taiwan
and Guatemala signed in May to expedite customs procedures and make importing
and exporting easier.
She also cited
Taiwan's work to boost the economy of Nicaragua, including a plan to boost
innovation in Nicaragua’s industries launched earlier this year.
In addition, Tsai
spoke about work to strengthen medical cooperation between Taiwan and Honduras.
This includes an agreement the two countries signed this year to enhance
information systems technology in Honduran hospitals.
Tsai said that
economic cooperation between Taiwan and Central American allies has seen
particular breakthroughs recently. She spoke about Central American bank BCIE’s
decision to set up an office in Taiwan this year, and said she believes further
economic and financial cooperation between Taiwan and Central America will
come.
Finally, she said
that student exchanges between Taiwan and the region have continued despite the
COVID-19 pandemic. She said student exchanges will bring mutual cultural
understanding and closer friendship between Taiwan and its Central American
allies.