President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is to visit Taiwan’s diplomatic allies Belize and Guatemala next month and plans to make a transit stop in Houston en route to Central America and another transit stop in Los Angeles on his return, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Hou (侯清山) said yesterday.
Ma is to deliver a speech at the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) during his March 13-19 visit to the two Central American allies, Hou said in a news conference held by the Presidential Office yesterday afternoon.
The transit stops for this trip are in central and west coast US cities, which has sparked speculation by local media that Ma is unable to make a transit stop on the east coast, as he did in July last year, due to his visit to Itu Aba Island (Taiping Island, 太平島) at the end of last month that prompted criticism from the US.
As the trip’s destination is Central America, the question of where transit stops would occur was not of particular concern, Hou said, adding: “Comfort, convenience, safety and dignity are what were taken into consideration during planning for the trip.”
Ma is not scheduled to meet with US officials, Hou said in response to reporters’ questions, denying that the Central American allies have made requests for financial assistance.
The president’s entourage is to be comprised of about 70 to 80 people, including Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin (林永樂), Deputy Secretary-General Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), the heads of relevant departments and business representatives, Hou said.
Hou said Ma is to meet with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, who was sworn into office on Jan. 14, and Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow, as well as the prime ministers of three Caribbean allies: Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and Saint Lucia.
In regards to the content of Ma’s speech to be delivered to PARLACEN, Hou said it would tout the Ma administration’s efforts and achievements in pushing “viable diplomacy” over the past eight years.
The main motivation behind the visit was an official invitation from PARLACEN, Lin said yesterday morning at the Legislative Yuan.
“Both the Guatemalan and Belizean governments have also invited the president. I believe that this visit will consolidate our friendship with our Latin American allies,” Lin said.
“[Taiwan] has 12 diplomatic allies in Latin America, and the president is to interact with high-level officials from at least 10 allies this trip,” Lin added.
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