Though his visit was just a symbolic gesture, President Ma’s day in Belmopan City on Thursday, May 28, suggested that the future relationship between Belize and The Republic of China (Taiwan) is going to reach great new heights.

His day in the capital city started when he met the Governor-General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, at the Belize House and introduced his delegation to him. President Ma then signed the guest book and departed for the National Assembly.

Students from schools of Belmopan City gathered in great numbers at the entrance of the National Assembly for a chance to witness the significant and historical event, which is the presentation of the Keys to the City from their very own Mayor Simeon Lopez. The crowd screamed out as their mayor arrived and waved at them. They then waved the flags of Belize and Taiwan when President Ma Ying-Jeou made his way to the steps of the National Assembly. In a short ceremony, His Worship Simeon Lopez presented the Keys to the City to President Ma.

At this time, a Joint Session of the National Assembly had already begun. Prime Minister of Belize, Dean O. Barrow, moved that the Assembly take a break to welcome the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan). President Ma then addressed the Legislative Body of Belize.

In his address President Ma said that his visit to Belize was his first official international engagement since his Inauguration in May of 2008. The visit may have been a return gesture as he thanked Prime Minister Barrow for leading a delegation to his Inauguration. He then commended the Prime Minister for leading a "transparent government and improving Belize’s international credit standard". He then said of Prime Minister Barrow, "I very much admire him!"

He also spoke about the situation in his own country and promised continuous talks with mainland China. He has already restored daily flights to China, which has not been taking place for over 60 years. He has been promoting the China-Taiwan policy of "no unification, no independence and no use of force." He advocates the maintenance of the status quo. He spoke about his tenure as Mayor of Taipei and how he turned it into a Cyber City. He showed the gathering a card known as an Easy Card that could be used for a number of everyday activities including taking the bus, purchasing food, etc. One feature of the card is that when a child reaches school, it automatically sends a signal that relays a text message to the mother’s phone indicating to them that their child has arrived at or departed from school. He then joked that the mothers loved it but asked if he could apply that same feature to their husbands. He concluded his address by saying, "Relationships with allies will not only remain but grow to new heights."