Taiwan president to visit Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador

May 18, 2009, 12:40 GMT

   Taipei - Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will leave next week on a visit to Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador, with transit stops in the United States, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.

   The main purpose of his trip is to attend the June 1 inauguration of El Salvador's president-elect Mauricio Funes, Vice Foreign Minister Hou Ching-shan told a news conference. Ma will depart on May 26.

   Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador are among the 23 countries which recognize Taiwan. More than 170 countries recognize China and see Taiwan as China's breakaway province.

   Ma's trip will also bring him on his first trip to the US since he took office on May 20, 2008. The US does not have formal ties with Taiwan but maintains close trade and cultural ties with Taipei and is Taiwan's main arms supplier.

   Ma will make an overnight transit stop in Los Angeles on his way to Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador. He will stay overnight in Seattle on his way back. Ma will return to Taipei on June 4, Hou said.

   'But there will not be arrangement for public activities,' he added.

   The US grants Taiwan leaders transit stops on their visits to Taiwan's allies in Latin America and the Caribbean, but requires them to keep the transits low-key to avoid angering China.

   Half of Taiwan's diplomatic allies are in the Latin America and the Caribbean.