And while Lee was here shoring up alliances, he has plenty of worries back home in Taiwan. That's because his government - which is seeking independence - has enraged China - which still claims the island nation. So, in a sense, just like Belize and Guatemala, Taiwan has a territorial problem with its neighbor. Now, China is one of the world's great powers, Guatemala is not anywhere near - but we asked Lee where Taiwan comes down on the Belize-Guatemala issue - not surprisingly, he was right in the middle:
Hon. Dr. David Tawei Lee, Foreign Minister - Taiwan
"I think we want to keep our autonomy, our freedom, our way of life, which I think China certainly do not quite agree with our approach. They want us to follow the so called one China principle, which defy the public opinion of the majority of people on Taiwan. However, as I said earlier that we still have many loyal friends."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Now we also have a neighbor who is sometimes hostile, but which is also your friend, Guatemala. How does your nation see itself between these two friends who have a territorial dispute?"
Hon. Dr. David Tawei Lee, Foreign Minister - Taiwan
"Certainly, we are also advocating peace and we still hope there will be a reconciliation between the two governments."
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