TAIWAN: Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei vowed his unwavering support for the “Republic of Taiwan” on Tuesday. Only 13 nations have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and Guatemala is one of them. Honduras left Taipei for Beijing last month after requesting over $2.5 billion in aid.
Alejandro Giammattei declared that Taiwan and Guatemala are “brotherly countries” and significant allies, using the phrase “Republic of Taiwan” instead of the official name, the Republic of China. The government now prefers to stylize it as the Republic of China, Taiwan.
He pledged “total support” and said, “I want everyone to trust that Guatemala will continue to be a firm diplomatic ally to the Republic of Taiwan and will continue to develop collaboration in all sectors.”
At the conclusion of his address, Giammattei, who was seated next to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, chanted, “Long live free Taiwan,” to which Tsai responded with a wide smile and an English thank-you.
Giammattei used the term “Republic of Taiwan” in a speech before Taiwan’s parliament and received a standing ovation. He concluded with the words “Long live Taiwan: free, sovereign, and independent”.
Nine decades ago, Guatemala established diplomatic ties with Taiwan after the Republic of China’s government retreated after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communists.
Beijing is incensed by any assertion that Taiwan is an autonomous nation that is distinct from China because it has never renounced using force to annex the island.
China has reaffirmed its rejection of Giammattei’s journey to Taiwan, advising him not to take the side of the evildoer. After Tsai’s brief trip to Guatemala earlier this month, Giammattei is making a second trip to Taiwan.
The one-China principle should be a guiding principle in international relations, as Taiwan’s independence is impossible.
Wang Wenbin of the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the Guatemalan government not to side with the wrongdoer and disregard both the voice of the Guatemalan people and the international trend for its own self-serving objectives. He also warned that any action that disregards global trends and international justice will fail.
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