Taipei-Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with democratic nations to safeguard common values and freedoms amid authoritarian expansion in the world, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Thursday at an event in Taipei that marked the 201st anniversary of the independence of five Central American nations.
“Taiwan stands on the frontline in defending democracy” at a time when “authoritarianism continues to make inroads across the world,” Tsai said.
Speaking about the five Central American nations’ fight against oppression in pursuit of freedom more than two centuries ago, Tsai said the people of Taiwan “very much identify with this” and “profoundly appreciate and cherish our hard-won freedom and democracy.”
The country will seek to strengthen cooperation with other democratic nations to create “regional prosperity” and jointly safeguard “our deeply held values and freedom-loving way of life,” she said.
The five Central American nations, including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies Guatemala and Honduras, declared independence from Spain through the adoption of the Act of Independence of Central America on Sept. 15, 1821.
The other three are Taiwan’s former allies Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Describing Honduras and Guatemala as “key diplomatic allies” in the Central American region, Tsai said exchanges between Taiwan and these two countries have been “stronger than ever” over the past two years despite the challenges posted by COVID-19.
Moving forward, Taiwan will continue working with its Central American allies to ensure “we all make the most of the global economic recovery” in the post-pandemic era, she said, naming in particular economic restructuring, women’s economic empowerment and cross-sector exchanges as areas for further cooperation.
Meanwhile, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said in a pre-recorded video that Taiwan has played “an essential role” in the development and progress of Guatemala in modern history.
He said Guatemala continued to move forward on a daily basis thanks to the work and support of the people and government of Taiwan, which he described as “one of our greatest friends and allies.”
The event held in Taipei was attended by approximately 300 guests, including Honduran Ambassador to Taiwan Harold Burgos, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Guatemala Sussely Sánchez, and Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮).
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel