ISTANBUL

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has begun his first overseas trip to Latin America and the Caribbean where the island nation has most of its 12 diplomatic allies.

“I will be visiting multiple allied countries and representing our people,” Lin said as he embarked on a trip to attend the 45th Independence Day of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Taiwan shares a deep friendship with these allies, and I look forward to a successful trip that further strengthens our cooperation,” said Lin on X on Wednesday before taking a night flight.

Lin succeeded Joseph Wu as the foreign minister after President William Lai Ching-te was inaugurated early this year.

Lai picked Joseph as the secretary-general of the National Security Council.

During his trip that ends on Nov. 2, Lin will be visiting Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, besides Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Taiwan, which China claims as its “breakaway province,” has seen the number of its diplomatic allies tumble to 12 when Joseph Wu was at the helm of the Foreign Ministry.

Nauru, a Pacific nation, was the last to shift its diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing when Lai took the oath of office as the president in May.

Taipei has insisted on its independence since 2019, and Lai has said China “does not” represent Taiwan