On the 3rd of April 2023, a Special Joint Sitting of the National Assembly was held in the Chamber of the National Assembly in Belmopan City. The Senate held a short meeting at 10:27 A.M. with Senator, the Honourable Isabel Bennett Moody leading prayers followed by Madam President giving a brief announcement to the Senate that it is the wish of the House of Representatives to have the Senate join the House for an Address by Her Excellency Tsai Ing-Wen, President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan). The Senate concluded at 10:30 A.M. with the Vice-President of the Senate, Senator, the Honourable Collet Montejo moving the Motions on behalf of the Leader of Government Business.
Shortly after, The Honourable Members of the House of Representatives sat at 10:41 A.M. with prayers offered by Lay Minister Kenrick Fransisco followed by a brief announcement from the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives. In her announcement, she informed the Honourable Members that the Honourable President and Members of the Senate have been invited to attend the Special Sitting of the House of Representatives on the occasion of the visit by Her Excellency Tsai Ing-Wen, President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan). Since it was the will of the Honourable Members, the House briefly suspended and resumed at 10:49 A.M. as the President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan), Her Excellency Tsai Ing-Wen made her way up to the entrance of the National Assembly building to be greeted by the two Presiding Officers, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representative, the Clerk and the Mace Bearer. Her Excellency was then welcomed at the entrance of the Chamber by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Clerk who all led the way through the aisle where the President of the Senate, the President of The Republic of China, (Taiwan), and the Speaker of the House of Representatives took their seats.
Here, the Honourable Prime Minister gave an official welcome to the President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan), and opened the floor for President Tsai Ing-Wen to deliver her speech. Subsequently, the President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan) rose to the podium and delivered her address to the National Assembly and shared her speech regarding Belize and Taiwan’s bilateral and diplomatic relationship with plans to collaborate in the future even further. Afterwards, Madam President of the Senate rose to give a warm thank you to Her Excellency Tsai Ing-Wen on behalf of the Senate whereas the Speaker carried out the same gesture and extended hospitality on behalf of the National Assembly of Belize. The Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives went on to acknowledge the second visit of the President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan) and the historical moment of three Women Leaders sitting in the Chambers of the National Assembly.
Before announcing the adjournment of the sitting, The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Presiding Officers, and President Tsai Ing-Wen all gathered together for a photo with the Certification of the Motion. After putting the question for the adjournment of the House at 11:20 A.M., The Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, accompanied by the Mace Bearer exited the Chamber with the President of the Senate doing the same. Thereupon, the President of the Republic of China, (Taiwan) and the Honourable Prime Minister walked towards the Members of the House of Representatives and shook hands then towards the Opposition Members doing the same before exiting the Chamber of the National Assembly.
For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the links below:
House of Representatives – https://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Orders-of-the-Day-April-3-2023.pdf
For access to the live broadcast, kindly see the link below as well: