President Ma Ying-jeou arrived in Guatemala early on Tuesday. Guatemala is one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies.
Ma was welcomed by many schoolchildren waving the Taiwan flag. Guatemala President Jimmy Morales received Ma in a ceremony with high military honors. Morales said he was very grateful for Taiwan’s help in terms of construction, national security, education and maintenance of historical sites. He affirmed Ma’s record as a peacemaker and said that the two sides would continue to have strong ties.
Morales said his focus for his nation is development in construction, medical care and education. President Ma said he would encourage the next president to continue to help Guatemala in those areas.
Morales promised that he would not change diplomatic ties with Taiwan. When the media asked if that meant the country would not develop relations with China, President Ma said Taiwan would not oppose development of unofficial ties.
Ma said, "About their wanting to develop ties with China, we have the same stance. We will not oppose any trade or investment, as long as it does not mean official ties. In the past few years, most countries have been able to meet this expectation."
Morales said he would develop economic ties with China and maintain strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan.