On the afternoon of July 18, Legislative Yuan President Daniel K.Y. Han, accompanied by KMT Legislator Adm. Chen Yeong-Kang, DPP Legislator Dr. Wang Cheng-Hsu, TPP Legislator Dr. Liu Shu-Pin, and Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the Department of International Affairs, received a seven-member delegation led by President Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. The delegation was also joined by Guatemala’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Luis Raúl Estévez López; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Chen Ming-Chi; Director of the Department of Protocol, Chen Hsin-Hsin; and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, Lu Chao-Jui.

Upon arriving at the Legislative Yuan, President Ramos and his delegation were warmly welcomed at the main entrance by President Han. Legislator Wang presented a floral bouquet to President Ramos, after which the delegation was escorted into the reception room. President Han invited President Ramos to sign the guestbook and leave a message. A group photo with the delegation and attending legislators followed, capturing a memorable moment.

President Han first extended a warm welcome to the Guatemalan delegation and noted that representatives from Taiwan’s three major political parties were present—underscoring the importance the Legislative Yuan places on the visit. He then introduced Taiwan’s unicameral legislature, composed of 113 members, and highlighted the long-standing diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala, which have endured for over 90 years. He emphasized the increasingly close economic and trade relations between the two countries, pointing out that Guatemalan coffee accounts for more than 10% of Taiwan’s market—meaning nearly one in every ten cups of coffee enjoyed in Taiwan is made using coffee beans from Guatemala. This, he noted, reflects the Taiwanese people’s strong appreciation for Guatemala’s high-quality agricultural products. President Han also commended the thriving cooperation between the two nations, citing initiatives such as the “Semiconductor Vocational Training Program,” which fosters collaboration in the semiconductor sector. He expressed confidence that future partnerships will continue to grow in areas such as technology, agriculture, and healthcare. He once again welcomed President Ramos and his delegation, expressing hope that the Taiwan-Guatemala friendship will continue to flourish for years to come.

In response, President Ramos praised the visit as a meaningful step toward further strengthening the ties between Taiwan and Guatemala. As a longstanding friend of Taiwan, he expressed pride in the more than 90-year relationship between the two countries and welcomed the continued deepening of bilateral relations. Introducing the members of his delegation—who represent a range of political parties—he remarked that visiting Taiwan in person had fostered greater mutual understanding, which he believed would help build unified support for Taiwan-Guatemala relations within the Guatemalan Congress. He also addressed media reports from the previous year suggesting that the Guatemalan government might seek closer economic and political ties with China, and took the opportunity to reaffirm the steadfast nature of Guatemala’s friendship with Taiwan. In addition, he expressed sincere gratitude for Taiwan’s long-term support in the development of Guatemala’s agriculture, healthcare, sanitation, technology, and infrastructure sectors. He especially underscored the cooperation in the semiconductor industry, which he said would be vital in boosting Guatemala’s future competitiveness. As a gesture of goodwill, President Ramos presented President Han with two symbolic gifts: Chinese translations of the “Statement of the President of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala” and the “Guatemalan Congress Resolution No. 10-2025 on Friendship with Taiwan,” as well as a hand-painted sheepskin scroll made in Guatemala. These gifts represent Guatemala’s deep and enduring friendship with the Republic of China (Taiwan). Deeply moved by the gesture, President Han and all attendees stood and applauded.

During the bilateral exchanges, Legislator Chen expressed his appreciation for Guatemala’s longstanding support of Taiwan’s democratic system. He shared insights from his decades of military service, emphasizing that in today’s rapidly evolving international landscape, geopolitics, economics, and strategic security are deeply interconnected. He proposed enhancing military education and personnel exchanges between the two countries as a way to cultivate talent, generate mutual benefits, and further strengthen the bilateral friendship.

Legislator Wang expressed his gratitude for Guatemala’s strong and longstanding support for Taiwan’s participation in the international community. He proposed deepening cooperation in areas such as rural and grassroots healthcare, smart agriculture, and the transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises. Quoting a Taiwanese proverb—“If someone feeds you a mouthful, repay them with a bushel”—he metaphorically conveyed Taiwan’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial development through the continued implementation of the “Co-Prosperity Project” in partnership with Guatemala.

Legislator Liu noted that both Taiwan and Guatemala are multicultural societies and close partners united by the shared values of freedom and democracy. She advocated for enhanced collaboration in healthcare, agriculture, and rural development to improve the quality of life for the people. She emphasized that Guatemala remains a key diplomatic ally for Taiwan in Central and South America, and that expanding practical cooperation and substantive exchanges will help keep bilateral ties vibrant and enduring.

The two sides went on to exchange in-depth views on a range of topics, including the operation of pro-Taiwan parliamentary friendship groups, talent development, healthcare and sanitation, smart agriculture development, economic and trade cooperation, and women’s empowerment initiatives. The meeting lasted approximately 70 minutes in a warm and cordial atmosphere, concluding with a gift exchange and group photo. At the end of the visit, President Han personally escorted President Ramos and his delegation to the main entrance, bringing the day’s parliamentary exchange to a positive and successful close.