China says Belize should follow the One-China Policy

China has raised concerns surrounding Belize’s statement in support of the Republic of China, Taiwan, at the 41st Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization 6TH Plenary meeting. Belize along with two other countries expressed support for Taiwan which Mainland China is claiming as a breakaway nation. Support for Taiwan did not go unnoticed by the Chinese Representatives. Before the meeting was done today, she interjected saying that Belize along with Tuvalu and Eswatini violated a UN General Assembly resolution. She said (quote) “The United Nation’s General Assembly resolution twenty-seven, fifty-eight and relevant ICAO regulations provide a solid legal basis for ICAO to follow the One China Principle. The statements by the representatives of Tuvalu, Belize, and Eswatini violate the UNGA and relevant ICAO regulations and infringe upon China’s sovereignty and territory integrity to which China strongly rejects and resolutely opposes…(end of quote) Here are China’s representative’s remarks: 

Representative from China: “The United Nations General Assembly resolution 2758 and relevant resolutions provide a solid legal basis for to follow the one China principle. The statements made by representatives of Tuvalu, Belize and Eswatini violate the UNGA and relevant resolutions and infringe upon China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to wich China strongly rejects and resolutely opposes. The statements made by those few countries are purely for political purposes. We urge them to stop using the Taiwan issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs and to let the assembly devote its time to topics that are important instead of disrupting te normal proceedings of the assembly. I thank you Madam.”

 In his speech, Minister of Civil Aviation, Andre Perez, expressed Belize’s support for Taiwan and stated (quote) “My government is convinced of the importance of the Taipei FIR and join other global partners in calling for the Republic of China (Taiwan) to be given the opportunity to have meaningful participation in all ICAO processes.” (end of quote) According to Perez, it was imperative for Belize to show support for Taiwan.

Andre Perez, Minister of Civil Aviation: “We stand on a point that our country supports Taiwan as a nation and not only as a nation but rather what they contribute to aviation. It cannot be ignored and we are telling to ICAO that a country like this making the difference by being a cargo hub and Taiwan what it does it cannot be ignored that is all that we’re saying. We are not at all surprised but I want to make it clear first that this platform that we have is important that we stick to what is related to aviation and we of course the Government and people of Belize will always be supporting Taiwan that we consider our friend and ally but as it relates to aviation Taiwan is a role model out there in the world by the way they use the aviation industry in terms of not only moving travelers but as well as doing the cargo hub, their cargo city it is one of the world’s best and they are strategically located and by my speaking and in support of this country that they need to be included because the philosophy of ICAO they state not one country left behind so we did not say anything out of the way but rather to clarify that we need to act on what we are stating. If we’re saying no countries left behind then The Republic of China Taiwan should be included and more importantly you cannot ignore a country that contributes significantly to the aviation industry. We have a responsibility. They cannot be ignored. They need to be included and they need to be placed in there for decision making because they contribute significantly in Asia.”