TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Officials from Taiwan’s Central American and Caribbean allies are visiting Taiwan to attend the National Day celebrations on Oct. 10.

The dignitaries, including Belize Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel, Saint Lucia Senate President Alvina Reynolds and House Speaker Claudius J. Francis, as well as Guatemala First Lady Lucrecia Peinado are expected to arrive in Taiwan between Monday (Oct. 7) and Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The guests will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and visit government agencies to discuss various issues such as semiconductor development and public health, MOFA said. Bilateral cooperation leverages Taiwan's strengths and supports development in allied countries, it added.

The foreign ministry said that the attendance of high-level officials from diplomatic allies at the National Day ceremony demonstrates the importance these governments place on their relationship with Taiwan. Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with these allies to deepen friendships and promote the well-being of locals.

The allied dignitaries’ arrival comes as Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) continues a values-based approach to diplomacy. Taiwan does not engage in financial diplomacy, regardless of whether it gains or loses an ally, he said in May.