President Tsai Ing-wen says democratic countries like Taiwan and Guatemala should work together to maintain peace and freedom. Tsai was speaking on Tuesday while receiving Guatemala's Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro.
Guatemala is a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, going back almost 90 years to 1933. Búcaro is visiting Taiwan for the first time since taking office.
Tsai says that Guatemala is an important ally of Taiwan in Central America. She says the two countries share the universal values of democracy and freedom, and continue to deepen exchanges in various fields.
Tsai also notes that when China led military drills in the Taiwan Strait earlier this month, the Guatemalan government immediately issued a statement calling on governments to work together to prevent any threat to peace.
Búcaro says his trip is meant to express the solidarity and friendship between the two sides. The foreign minister says Guatemala holds strong to the principles of peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Búcaro says his country will continue to strengthen bilateral relations with Taiwan through cooperation and trade.