Taiwan, Belize sign agreements to enhance collaboration during FM’s visit

The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Belize signed two major agreements on Tuesday to reaffirm their longstanding partnership, as Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) was set to conclude his three-day visit to the Central American ally.

During Lin’s visit to Belize on Tuesday, he and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam. Prime Minister John Briceno later welcomed him, joined by senior Cabinet officials, according to separate press releases issued by the two governments.

Later Tuesday, Lin visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and held bilateral talks with Belizean Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca on strengthening cooperation.

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The two ministers witnessed the signing of a letter of intent between the University of Belize and Taiwan’s main foreign aid agency, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund, to establish the Taiwan-Caribbean Academy.

Lin and his Belizean counterparts also signed a bilateral agreement on diplomatic staff training cooperation, aimed at strengthening the capacity and professional development of Belize’s foreign service.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Taiwan-Caribbean Academy is an initiative aimed at promoting technical and vocational education, sustainable tourism and economic cooperation among diplomatic allies in the region.

According to Lin, the academy will be headquartered at the University of Belize.

Taiwan’s higher education institutions, including Meiho University, National Chung Hsing University, and Kun Shan University, will also participate in curriculum development and faculty planning.

MOFA did not say when the academy will officially open.

Lin and his delegation are scheduled to depart Belize on Wednesday, local time, before heading to another of Taiwan’s allies in the region, Guatemala.

In Guatemala, Lin will meet with President Bernardo Arevalo and attend a reception marking the 92nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the Central American country, and Taiwan’s National Day, the ministry said.

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

The aim is to strengthen economic cooperation with Taiwan’s two Central American diplomatic allies.

Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Wednesday said decommissioned coast guard vessels were given to the Philippines to enhance regional rescue capacity and would not affect Taiwanese fishers’ rights and benefits. Kuan made the remarks after confirmation on Tuesday that a 500-tonne Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol and rescue vessel would be given to the Philippine Coast Guard. The donation ceremony was reportedly done in Manila, but whether the vessel — previously numbered “CG123” and named Kinmen (金門) — has been handed over has yet to be confirmed.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Wednesday criticized the donation for “taking

The Ministry of Finance today announced the winning numbers for the July-August uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$314,663) special prize is 89996565, while the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 91098182. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 54348835, 44991397 and 06595111. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits qualify for the NT$10,000 third prize.

Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers are eligible for the NT$4,000 fourth prize,

The National Police Agency’s Third Special Police Corps yesterday said that from May to July, it intercepted five smuggling operations from China, seizing more than 70,000 counterfeit Beyblades with an estimated infringement value of NT$34.45 million (US$1.08 million). It added that any bootleg unit that reached the local market could present hidden health hazards to players. Beyblades, a line of spinning toy tops used in competitive gaming and developed in Japan by toy company Takara Tomy, have become popular in Taiwan, making them a target for fraudsters.

The Third Special Police Corps, dedicated to safeguarding maritime borders and trade lines,

Five customers who made purchases at 7-Eleven stores across Taiwan won the top NT$10 million (US$313,716) special prize in the July-August uniform invoice lottery, including one who spent just NT$27 on photocopying, the convenience store chain said today. The five special prize winners made their purchases at stores in Taoyuan, Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, 7-Eleven operator President Chain Store Corp said. The five winning purchases included NT$29 spent on snacks at a store in Taoyuan's Zhongli District (中壢), NT$27 on photocopying at a store in Taipei's Zhongzheng District (中正), NT$139 on City Cafe coffee and daily necessities at a store in Taipei's