Belize Affirms Friendship with Taiwan Amidst China’s Growing Influence

China has continued its campaign in gaining alliances around the world.  Belize, however, has expressed its commitment and long-term friendship with Taiwan.  It’s an issue that led many newscasts across the globe as nations continue to align.  Yesterday, during a press brief with officials from Washington DC, the media asked if the US is looking to combat China’s growing influence in Central America.  Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere Affairs, Dan Erikson, spoke briefly on the matter.

Dan Erickson, Deputy Assistant, Security of Defense for the Western Hemisphere Affairs: “In the case of Belize, there’s a few reasons the visit took place now. But one is really that we think that it’s a great opportunity currently to work with the government. We note the number of accomplishments the government had to date and so we really want to build on that and to bring together the different aspects of the US government to do that, including Department of Defense, the Agency for International Development, the State Department and then also with the leadership of the Vice President’s Office. We think that the most important thing the United States can do in this region is to have a positive agenda, working with our partners in the region. And so that is really what we’re here to advance today. We do recognize that Belize maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. We think that this is an important symbol and in reality of Belize’s foreign policy and so we do respect that as well.”

In Central America, Honduras is the most recent to break away from Taiwan back in March this year.  Other countries that have gone in favor of China are Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica.