Belize appeals for Taiwan to participate in INTERPOL – Taiwanese Ambassador expresses thanks

By Benjamin Flowers: The Government of Belize has written a letter to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) requesting the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s attendance as an observer at the 89th INTERPOL General Assembly in Turkey next week; a move which H.E. David Kuan-Chou Chien Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, praised this today.

Ambassador Chien explained that, apart from a “rock-solid” diplomatic relationship, Taiwan and Belize share a common trait in that their geographic position makes both countries a strategic hub for the execution of trans-national crime. H.E. Chien explained that Taiwan’s place between Northeast and Southeast Asia makes the country a nexus for the flow of people, goods, and money.

Adding the rising influx of people given that Taiwan is the world’s 36th most popular tourist destination according to a 2020 World Tourism Organization report, and that Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport ranked the 10th among airports worldwide in 2019, Taiwan’s participation in INTERPOL becomes paramount not just for local safety, but for the greater good of addressing transnational crime.

“Participating in INTERPOL will make Taiwan be able to acquire timely and complete criminal information, thereby safeguarding border security, enforcing law and order, and engaging in closer cooperation with police agencies worldwide to combat cross-border crime. Taiwan needs the world’s support and Taiwan is willing and able to help the world by sharing its experience,” Ambassador Chien said.

However, Taiwan has been excluded from participation in INTERPOL for the past 37 years due to political interference, which H.E. Chien says makes Belize’s gesture all the more appreciated.

“As Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, I am deeply grateful to the Government of Belize for the strong and staunch support to Taiwan’s participation in the international arena, such as United Nations and its related organizations. Referring to INTERPOL, we are even more thankful to Hon. Prime Minister John Briceño, Hon. Minister Eamon Courtenay of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Minister Kareem Musa of Home Affairs, and the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, for their public support to Taiwan’s meaningful participation in INTERPOL,” H.E. Chien added.

The Ambassador also called on the rest of the international community to support Taiwan’s participation in the upcoming General Assembly as well as its meaningful participation in INTERPOL meetings, mechanisms, and other activities, including access to the I-24/7 global police communications system and INTERPOL training programs.

Belize and Taiwan have observed friendly diplomatic relations for 32 years, this year, and have numerous cooperation agreements in many areas including that in the area of law enforcement. In 2017, both countries signed an agreement geared towards the promotion of cooperation between law enforcement authorities through training and exchanging visits of police personnel, sharing information of law enforcement, and jointly combating transnational crime.

Taiwan also donated two vehicles and information equipment to the Belize Police Department back in August.

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