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In other news, Prime Minister John Briceño says Belize has the right to choose its own diplomatic partners, and China’s sanctions against Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca will not change that. Speaking with Love News from Bangkok, Thailand, the Prime Minister stressed that Belize is a sovereign country and will make its own decisions about its relations with Taiwan.
John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “But first of all, I need to make that we are very happy that the United States government quickly stood on our side. The point that we want to make is that we are a small country, but we are an independent country. And as such, we have the right to decide to make our foreign policy decisions. We believe that Taiwan, and we’ve been saying it all over, should be given the opportunity to determine their future. We had that opportunity. The world community gave Belize that opportunity when we went to the United Nations and in 1980 we had 134 countries that voted for Belize to be an independent country with its territory intact. And I believe that Taiwan should be given that opportunity. By any metric that you want to take, by any measurements that you want to take, Taiwan is a country, you have one of the strongest economists in the world. They’re projecting over 10% GDP growth is coming this year. They have one of the best educational system, one of the best health systems. They have so much to offer. And it’s a pity that we can’t, as a world community, allow Taiwan to be able to become a part of the world community to the United Nations and the other international bodies.”
Briceño’s comments follow his interview with Taiwan’s Central News Agency, in which he described the sanctions as uncalled for, unjustified, wrong and illegal. He said Beijing’s action would only strengthen Belize’s resolve to support Taiwan. China announced the measures on Monday against Fonseca and Paraguay’s technology minister, Gustavo Villate, following their participation in Taiwan’s National Day celebrations. The restrictions bar both ministers from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, freeze any assets they may hold in China, and prohibit Chinese individuals and organisations from doing business or cooperating with them. Fonseca has also confirmed that Belize received a diplomatic note from China’s Embassy in Jamaica describing the sanctions as a warning and a deterrent. That communication indicated that the restrictions would not affect other Belizeans wishing to travel to China.
English (US) ·