Published on Wednesday, May 2, 2007
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP): Taiwan announced Tuesday that it had
re-established relations with the Caribbean state of St
Lucia in a diplomatic victory, which immediately drew anger
from rival China.
 |
|
Taiwan's Foreign Minister James Huang. AFP
PHOTO |
Taiwan's Foreign Minister James Huang, currently in St
Lucia, signed the communique with his counterpart Rufus
Bousquet on April 30, Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Tzu-pao
said.
"After four-and-a-half months of hard work, we accomplished
the mission to restore diplomatic ties with St Lucia," Huang
told a press conference in Taipei via telephone.
"We can form a constructive partnership with St Lucia and we
welcome China continuing to be St Lucia's partner. We hope
for a win-win situation for all and we do not mean to engage
in zero-sum games with China," he said.
China expressed "indignation and opposition" Tuesday to the
announcement, with foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao
accusing Taiwan of pursuing "money diplomacy" in its efforts
to seek diplomatic allies around the world.
"The resumption of diplomatic relations between St Lucia and
Taiwan is a flagrant violation of the declaration on the
establishment of diplomatic relations between China and St
Lucia," he said.
"It also constitutes interference in the internal affairs of
China," he said in a statement posted on the China's foreign
ministry website.
Liu urged St Lucia to rethink the decision or "be
responsible for the consequences incurred."
|
