Visiting Belize Prime Minister John Briceño lauded his country’s friendship and shared educational values with Taiwan as he received an honorary doctorate Friday from Kun Shan University in Tainan, southern Taiwan.
Witnessed by Vice President Lai Ching-te (???), Briceño received the honor from Kun Shan University President Lee Tien-shang (???).
Stressing that the two countries shared the same values in democracy, freedom, human rights, and rule of law, Briceño said he believed that education was a basic human right.
He thanked Taiwan for allowing hundreds of students from Belize to study in Taiwan, adding it had helped them contribute to Belize’s development after returning home.
Addressing the event, Lai said he hoped that two-way educational exchanges could be further strengthened to serve the interests of people in both countries based on existing mutually beneficial cooperative projects.
He said he expected to see more advanced collaboration on the fronts of education, culture, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, and public health.
Lai praised Briceño as a politician beloved by the people of Belize and called him an important friend of Taiwan who often spoke out for Taiwan at international organizations.
Citing statistics from the education and foreign affairs ministries, the vice president said over 500 Belizean students had come study in Taiwan since the two countries established diplomatic ties 33 years ago.
Nearly 200 of them are still in Taiwan, with more than 20 studying at Kun Shan University.
Lai gave high marks to their academic performance in Taiwan, and encouraged them to contribute what they learn in Taiwan to the development back at home.
Earlier in the day, Briceño visited Symon Agricultural Biotech. Co., Ltd. at Taiwan Orchid Plantation park in Tainan’s Houbi District, where he was briefed about the strength of Taiwan’s orchid-growing industry.
In a statement issued Friday, the Tainan City government noted the frequent exchanges between Belize and the city.
It said Kun Shan University and the University of Belize enjoy sisterhood ties, and that five Belizean head nurses were receiving training on an 18-month program at Chi Mei Hospital.
At noon, Lai hosted a banquet in honor of Briceño, his wife, and members of his entourage at Chimei Museum.
Traveling at the head of an eight-member delegation from Belize, Briceño arrived in Taiwan Tuesday for a five-day visit.
Briceño is making his first trip to Taiwan in 16 years, and it is his first visit to the country as prime minister, a post he took up in November 2020.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel