President Tsai Ing-wen said May 24 that the government has terminated official relations with Burkina Faso and refuses to engage in a dollar diplomacy battle for diplomatic allies with China.
“China’s serial acts of repression against Taiwan in the diplomatic sphere are a clear display of unease and lack of confidence on their part,” Tsai said during a news conference at the Office of the President in Taipei City.
This insecurity stems from the recent tangible progress in economic and security relations between Taiwan and other like-minded nations such as the U.S., she added.
According to Tsai, China is promising huge amounts of money in an attempt to win over many countries. These attempts to whittle away at the nation’s sovereignty have crossed a red line in Taiwanese society and will not be taken lightly, she said.
“This behavior does not help cross-strait relations and China’s international image, and is unconducive to the easing of the international community’s misgivings about China.”
Tsai said China’s suppression takes many forms. These include dispatching fighter jets to circle Taiwan, luring away diplomatic allies, forcing international corporations to change the name they use in referring to Taiwan, and preventing the country from taking part in activities and meetings of the World Health Organization and other international bodies.
“But the worse they behave, the more they incite the world’s ire and firm up other countries’ support for Taiwan,” Tsai said, citing the increased number of nations backing Taiwan’s bid for observer status at the 71st World Health Assembly May 21-26 in Geneva.
“Such behavior only stiffens our resolve to continue engaging with the world, and continue building up more substantive economic and security partnerships with other like-minded nations.”
Tsai said the government is sincerely grateful to the many global partners who remain committed to advancing long-term substantive relations with Taiwan, adding that no stone will be left unturned in helping diplomatic allies develop on all fronts.
In a statement issued the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned China’s actions in the strongest terms and said since enticing Sao Tome and Principe to switch diplomatic relations in December 2016, China has worked to end Taiwan’s 24 years of official ties with Burkina Faso.
The government will cease all aid programs and begin the process of recalling diplomatic staff, medical and technical teams from the West African country, the MOFA added. (SFC-E)
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