By Aaron Humes: At Thursday’s ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, Her Excellency Lily Li-Wen Hsu, revealed that her three-year tenure is ending on an unexpected and saddening note.
“Some of you know my mom passed away recently, hence [the reason] I have to leave in such a hurry. I believe she is now in a better place, watching over me, and she would be very proud today,” she told attendees at the end of her speech accepting the Order of Distinction, Belize’s third highest national honour.
The Ambassador recalled arriving in Belize at the end stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and being inspired at how well Belize recovered: “How time flies. It has been a great privilege to serve my country, and work with our Belizean friends to deepen the bounds between our two nations. The past three years have been an inspiring and rewarding experience for me.” She added that Belize has done well in protecting its green and blue spaces and striking a balance between environmental stewardship and economic development.
She also gave thanks for how staunchly Belize has stood up for Taiwan on the international stage: “What I treasure the most is the sense of togetherness and trust between our two countries. We support each other whenever and wherever there is need, amidst the ever-changing global landscapes and mounting global challenges like [the] climate crisis. Such solidarity is most valuable…to me personally, it’s very meaningful. As a diplomat whose career mostly focused on multilateral affairs, Belize’s advocacy for Taiwan’s engagement in the international community means a lot.” She dedicated the medal to the government in Taipei and “Team Taiwan” in Belize.
Paying tribute, Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam acknowledged Ambassador Hsu as a “global citizen” who built of the achievements of her successors and contributed outstanding and meritorious service to our country through serving hers.
Cabinet Secretary, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the National Honours and Awards Committee Ambassador Stuart Leslie cited her support of visits between Belize and Taiwan by the Prime Minister and Governor-General as well as the former President Tsai Ing-Wen and the Minister of Foreign Affairs; her pivotal role in a four-year bilateral cooperation agreement which continues through 2029 and support of transformative projects and technical cooperative scholarships, including Belmopan housing projects, the San Pedro General Hospital; Belcan Bridge replacement and women’s empowerment initiatives.
The post Outgoing Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize reveals death in family as she bids farewell appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: At Thursday’s ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, Her Excellency Lily Li-Wen Hsu, revealed that her three-year tenure is ending on an unexpected and saddening note. “Some of you know my mom passed away recently, hence [the reason] I have to leave in such a hurry. I believe
The post Outgoing Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize reveals death in family as she bids farewell appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
