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One of the top stories from this past week was President Ma Ying-jeou’s final overseas tour as president. He traveled to Central America via Houston, making stops in Guatemala and Belize, before returning to Taiwan via Los Angeles.
President Ma’s trip will take him next to Belize and Guatemala, before returning to Taiwan via a stop in Los Angeles on Thursday, local time.
During his visit to Guatemala, Ma addressed the Central American Parliament.
He told representatives from the Parliament’s member countries that his administration had spent the past eight years working to improve cross-strait relations.
During his stop in Belize, the president met with a group of leaders from allied nations, including leaders from Belize, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
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Also this past week, President Ma Ying-jeou expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with the timing of the Gambia’s restoration of ties with China.
The African nation established diplomatic ties with Taiwan for a second time in 1995 before abruptly severing ties in November, 2013. It formally reestablished diplomatic relations with China on Thursday, after more than two years of no relations with either side.
Taiwan’s media has interpreted the timing of the move as a challenge to President-elect Tsai Ing-wen, who will take office in May.
Ma said that Taiwan had been aware that the Gambia and China were set to restore ties, but said that the timing of the decision was “extremely inappropriate”.
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And finally, this past week, President-elect Tsai Ing-wen announced on Tuesday the appointment of former Finance Minister Lin Chuan as Taiwan’s next premier.
Tsai said that since 2008, Lin has been assisting her in policymaking had helped in her campaign for president. Tsai said Lin is not only well versed in finance, he is also adept at communication. Tsai said that Lin can form a Cabinet that will carry out reforms.
Lin says he will talk finalize the major positions in his Cabinet in April.