The Republic of China (Taiwan) terminated diplomatic relations with São Tomé and Príncipe Dec. 21 in order to uphold national dignity, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With immediate effect, the ROC will close its embassy in the West African country, recall its technical mission and end all bilateral cooperation projects, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the MOFA, the decision was taken after São Tomé and Príncipe unilaterally severed diplomatic ties with the ROC the same day.
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in May 1997, the ROC had assisted São Tomé and Príncipe in furthering its national development, with bilateral cooperation covering such fields as agriculture, education, energy, infrastructure and public health.
In particular, the malaria prevention program implemented by ROC medical advisers stationed in São Tomé and Príncipe successfully reduced the incidence rate of the disease from 50 percent in 2003 to 1.01 percent in 2015. The World Health Organization announced in 2013 that the West African country had reached the pre-elimination stage for malaria, a widely recognized achievement.
The ROC has consistently contributed to allies’ development to the fullest extent of its abilities under the principles of integrity and mutual benefits. It regrets São Tomé and Príncipe's abrupt decision to sever nearly 20 years of friendly relations, and condemns the country playing both sides of the Taiwan Strait while holding out for the highest bidder, the MOFA said.
This development will in no way affect the ROC government’s efforts to expand the nation’s participation in international affairs through steadfast diplomacy, the ministry said, adding that the ROC will continue to actively contribute to the global community and work with other nations to reinforce the international status of the ROC, enhance the welfare of its people and advance the values of freedom and equality. (SFC-E)
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