Taiwan president welcomed in Haiti in start of visit to regional allies

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou is being welcomed in Haiti as he starts a tour of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Haitian President Michel Martelly greeted Ma at the airport in Port-au-Prince. The two leaders were expected to preside at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new Supreme Court building to replace the one lost in the devastating January 2010 earthquake.

Haiti is one of 23 countries to recognize the self-governing island of Taiwan. Mainland China considers Taiwan part of its territory and objects to diplomatic recognition of Taipei by other governments.

Ma will be visiting other countries that recognize Taiwan, including St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Paraguay, where he will attend the new president's inauguration.