It's not until September, but the Taiwanese are celebrating Belize's independence already. On Saturday April 15, the Mayor of the Kaohsiung Province, Yeh Chu-Lan opened an exhibit called "We are Belize - celebrating 25 years of Independence." The exhibit is staged at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. Belize's NICH President Yasser Musa was there to give the Chinese glitterati a guided tour through an exhibit featuring the works of George Gabb, Pen Cayetano, Michael Gordon and Marcy Sabal. Musa also signed an agreement for cultural cooperation with the Director of the National Museum of History, Huang Yung Chan. The agreement states that NICH and the Museum of History will organize joint research projects and exhibitions.
And while functionaries of the Musa administration continue to strengthen alliances with Taiwan, the Leader of the Opposition said in the National Assembly that Mainland China is the new empire and Belize would be wise to form an alliance with it. What does the new Taiwanese Ambassador Joseph Shih, have to say about that? We asked him three weeks ago.
Jules Vasquez,
The Leader of the Opposition has indicated that he would be inclined to entertain an alliance with Red China. He sees Red China as the emerging empire, he said in the National Assembly. Are you having discussions with the UDP, trying to reach some rapprochement with them?
H.E. Joseph Shih, Taiwanese Ambassador
"I think for the last 15 years, my government, my embassy, has maintained a very cordial relationship with the government and opposition, and with the same spirit I think we will continue the dialogue."
Taiwan has committed to give the Musa administration $50 million over two years in what's called balance of payment support, basically bailout loans for a crushing debt service bill.
