The press also asked Dr. Zabaneh about the Belizean students in Taiwan. If you've been keeping up with international news, you'll know that Mainland China engaged in military operations a few days ago near Taiwan's maritime borders.
Their government has insisted that these are training exercises, but it is being interpreted as a form of retaliation because the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, made a visit to Taiwan.
Dr. Zabaneh told the press that Belize's diplomatic mission in Taiwan is keeping in regular communication with the Belizean students in Taiwan:
Dr. Louis Zabaneh - Minister of State/Education
"We have our ambassador who is in Taiwan, and she is in close contact with the students on a regular basis. And in fact, that's one of the functions of our embassies, to look out for our citizens who are in Taiwan. But we've heard our foreign minister make it very clear that we are fully supportive of Taiwan's sovereignty and independence. And, we see that the United States seems to be taking some stronger measures or making at least some more significant steps with Ms. Pelosi going to visit Taiwan. And that's what escalated the tensions. But I understand that the military work that was occurring from mainland China has subsided recently. And we will continue to partner with our friend, with Taiwan, and they provide opportunities for our students. So, I guess from our end, we are concerned that, as in any country, that might have these kinds of situations for our citizens. We need to keep an eye on that at all times. But we are not dissuading anybody from going to Taiwan or being intimidated by the tactics of their neighbor."
