Foreign minister departs for Belize, Guatemala with business delegation

Taipei, Sept. 27 (CNA) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) departed Sunday for Belize and Guatemala with a business delegation to strengthen economic cooperation with Taiwan's two Central American diplomatic allies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.

During the visits, Lin will meet with Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and inspect several Taiwan-funded projects in the two countries, MOFA said in a press release.

In Guatemala, Lin will also attend a reception marking the 92nd anniversary of diplomatic relations and Taiwan's National Day, the ministry said.

According to MOFA, the delegation comprises more than 30 representatives from sectors including green energy and smart transportation, artificial intelligence and space technology, biotechnology, health care, tourism, and finance and trade.

The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, which promotes trade and business ties between the United States and Taiwan, is also taking part in the delegation, MOFA added.

MOFA did not say when Lin and the delegation would return to Taiwan.

Since taking office in May 2024, Lin has visited Taiwan's diplomatic allies around the world with business delegations to deepen strategic and economic cooperation and strengthen diplomatic ties under the so-called Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.