President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to make a seven-day trip to Central America, beginning March 13. Ma will visit Guatemala and Belize, passing through Houston and Los Angeles in the United States on the way.
Deputy Foreign Minister Javier Hou said Friday that this trip will serve to consolidate Taiwan’s ties with its diplomatic allies.
“Ma will meet with the President of Guatemala, the Prime Ministers of Belize and three other Caribbean countries, as well as the head of the Central American Parliament. They will talk about bilateral and multilateral issues and consolidate diplomatic ties," said Hou.
Hou responded to questions about the ongoing Zika epidemic in Guatemala, saying that the foreign ministry has prepared anti-mosquito devices. Hou also said that US authorities will work to ensure that Ma’s passage through US territory will be smooth.
Foreign minister David Lin has also responded to earlier doubts about the necessity and timing of the president’s trip, saying that consolidating ties with diplomatic allies is of very important to Taiwan.