The Dominican Republic’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with China and accept false promises of aid and investment is deeply regretted by the Republic of China (Taiwan) government, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu May 1.
“To protect both the nation’s dignity and sovereignty, we announce the termination of relations with the Dominican Republic effective immediately,” Wu said during a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei City. This extends to all cooperative projects and assistance, as well as the repatriation of embassy officials and staff at technical missions, he added.
Following the government and the Dominican Republic establishing diplomatic relations in 1941, Wu said, successive administrations in the two countries worked together in forging closer cooperation across such areas as agriculture, child care, infrastructure, security, technology and tourism. Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina has chosen to ignore this long-term partnership with Taiwan, years of developmental assistance provided by Taiwan and the wishes of his people, he added.
“We understand that since 2016, [Medina] has made two trips to China for talks on establishing ties,” Wu said. “Given these interactions, we have long recognized the instability of relations between Taiwan and the Dominican Republic.”
This situation was closely monitored by the MOFA, with numerous steps taken to stabilize ties. These include signing a bilateral cooperative memorandum of understanding in February and dispatching MOFA Vice Minister Jose Maria Liu to the Latin American nation for talks in October and August 2017, as well as then MOFA Minister David Tawei Lee in July the same year.
“The MOFA strongly condemns China’s objectionable decision to use dollar diplomacy to convert Taiwan’s diplomatic allies,” Wu said. “Beijing’s attempts at foreign policy have only served to drive a wedge between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, erode mutual trust and further harm the feelings of the people of Taiwan.”
Wu also took the opportunity to remind the international community of the failure of China to honor its promises to Taiwan’s former diplomatic allies.
Sao Tome and Principe has been waiting since establishing ties in 2016 for US$140 million in aid, as well as airport construction and harbor deepening projects, Wu said. Costa Rica is also empty-handed after 11 years, with no sign of the pledged US$1.4 billion in assistance for building a refinery and highways, he added.
Although Taiwan faces serious diplomatic challenges, Wu said, the government will not bow to pressure from Beijing. “We will work with friendly nations to uphold peace and stability and ensure our rightful place in the international community.” (SFC-E)
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