Ma wraps up fruitful Central America tour

2016/03/23

President Ma Ying-jeou said March 19 that his visit to Guatemala and Belize strengthened bilateral ties and mutual understanding between the ROC and the two Central American diplomatic allies.

The seven-day trip helped consolidate relations on the basis of viable diplomacy, Ma said. “This pragmatic policy expanded Taiwan’s international participation under the guidelines of legitimate purpose, lawful process and effective implementation.”

The president made the remarks upon touching down at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at the head of a delegation comprising government officials and business leaders.

This was Ma’s 12th and final overseas visit during his two four-year terms in office. He met with five heads of state in the region on the trip, and received warm welcomes during his two U.S. stopovers. During the first in Houston, the city of Point Comfort declared March 13 President Ma Ying-jeou Day in honor of his presence in Texas.

The second stop March 18 in Los Angeles allowed Ma the opportunity to hold phone conversations with several U.S. political leaders. According to local media reports, former U.S. President Bill Clinton lauded Ma’s achievement in stabilizing relations between Taipei, Washington and Beijing over the past eight years.

In addition, U.S. House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan praised Taiwan’s role as a peacemaker in the South China Sea, while Sen. Orrin Hatch expressed support for Taiwan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc in due time.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=243196&ctNode=2194&mp=9)