President Ma Ying-jeou has discussed the importance of his recent visit to two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in Central America. The president was speaking Wednesday at a routine press conference.
Ma attended the inauguration of Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela before stopping in El Salvador, where he met with Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren.
Ma said that his visit to Central America was in keeping with his policy of "viable diplomacy".
"This trip went very smoothly. Although our delegation consisted of more than 100 people – the largest delegation at the inauguration ceremony – and the expenses ran high, these visits were necessary given our difficult diplomatic situation," said Ma.
"They give us greater international visibility and let others know that our aid given for legitimate goals, through legal processes, and with effective implementation has concrete results," he said.
The president said that the strategy of "viable diplomacy" will not only consolidate Taiwan’s ties with its allies but also strengthen ties with other countries and widen Taiwan’s participation in the international community.
Taiwan has only 22 diplomatic allies because China forbids its allies from forging full diplomatic relations with Taiwan.