Belize City. April 9, 2020. 5:30 p.m.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) today, April 9th, added to its March 25th contribution an additional BZ$2 million to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Belize. This is for urgently needed additional personal protective equipment, medical equipment, testing kits, and laboratory supplies for frontline medical service providers countrywide.
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, chose to set an example by meeting virtually to accept this important donation.
Taiwan sourced the funds from the “Regional Emergency Fund Against the COVID-19 Pandemic” under the Central American Integration System (SICA)-Taiwan Framework Agreement. Prime Minister Barrow congratulated and thanked Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for her concern for the region and for Belize in particular.
The Secretary General of SICA, H.E. Vinicio Cerezo, also thanked the Taiwanese Government in a pre-recorded message for providing SICA Member States this emergency funding and reiterated the Organization’s firm commitment to assist Belize and other Central American countries through regional cooperation against the deadly virus.
Taiwan has demonstrated to the world its success and strength in limiting the impact of COVID-19 in their country. The Government of Belize commends this success and is grateful for Taiwan’s continued solidarity and support. In recognition of their efforts to arrest the pandemic at home and abroad, Belize continues to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion and participation in the World Health Organization and its annual World Health Assembly, especially as countries improve responses to COVID-19 and global public health planning.
Belize and Taiwan share more than 30 years of friendly relations and robust diplomatic ties.
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