Belize–Taiwan relations

Belize–Taiwan relations or Belize–China relations are foreign relations between Belize and Republic of China (Taiwan). Bilateral relations between the two countries have been maintained since 1989. Belize has adhered to the One China policy where it is one of the few countries that recognizes the ROC government as the sole legitimate government of "China" instead of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland.

Sino–Belizean relations
Map indicating locations of Belize and Taiwan

Belize
Taiwan
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Belize to TaiwanEmbassy of Taiwan to Belize
Envoy
Ambassador Candice PittsAmbassador David K.C. Chien
Belize Senate President Lee Mark Chang and Republic of China President Tsai Ing-wen.

History

William Quinto, a Belizean businessman of Chinese descent and a supporter of Belize's People's United Party, began lobbying then-Prime Minister George Price via his mutual acquaintance Said Musa for Belize to establish relations with Taiwan in the 1980s.[1] Then-Taiwanese ambassador to Guatemala Gene Loh came to Belize in May 1984 and met with Quinto and Price to discuss the possibility of establishing relations, but Guatemalan leader Rodolfo Lobos Zamora objected, and after Manuel Esquivel of the Belizean opposition United Democratic Party took power in the election late that year, the plans were put aside. In the coming years, Quinto would put up the funds for Musa (by then Minister of Education), Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Courtney, and Vice Minister Robert Leslie to go to Japan and Hong Kong in order to meet with Loh again. However, it would not be until after the 1989 election when the PUP regained power that Belize and Taiwan established relations. At that point, Belize only had three overseas missions, in London, Washington DC, and at the United Nations in New York City; Musa, who by then had become Minister of Foreign Affairs, told Quinto that if he did not go to Taipei to fill the position of ambassador, there would be no one else to take the job, and thus he went.[1] Quinto remained Belize's ambassador to Taiwan until 2008, when he retired. His subordinate, chargé d'affaires Efrain R. Novelo, was promoted to full ambassadorial rank to replace him.[2]

In 2021, Taiwan and Belize signed a mutual assistance treaty that would serve as a framework to legal cooperation between the two countries.[3]

Ambassadors

From Belize to the Republic of China:

From the Republic of China to Belize:

  • Charles Liu (November 2016 to February 2023)[5]
  • Lily Li-Wen Hsu (February 2023 to present)[6]

References
  1. "送別伍永泉大使 憶當年建交經過". National Policy Foundation Commentary. 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  2. "貝里斯大使家庭". Taiwan Public Television. 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  3. "Legislature passes Taiwan-Belize mutual legal assistance pact". Taiwan News. Taiwan News. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  4. "President hopeful for more trade, economic cooperation with Belize". Focus Taiwan. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. "Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize presents credentials to Governor General". Breaking Belize News. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  6. "Curriculum Vitae of Ambassador Lily Li-Wen Hsu". Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Belize. Retrieved 29 March 2023.


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