New Democratic Party confirms shift in stance on one-China policy
Prime Minister Godwin Friday, has publicly reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of St Vincent and the Grenadines(SVG), to Taiwan with whom it is this year marking 45-years of diplomatic relations.
He rejected any shift toward the one-China policy, giving that declaration as the nation continues to navigate a new political landscape. Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, Prime Minister Friday described the bilateral bond between SVG and Taiwan as one of “continuity” and mutual benefit, emphasizing that the relationship is “very much supported” by public discourse.
In 2018, Dr Friday led a New Democratic Party (NDP) delegation to the People’s Republic of China (mainland China), over which the then Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves who is now the Leader of the Opposition raised alarm regarding the consequences of any fallout from the potential diplomatic or economic pivot.
During debate on the 2026 national budget debate, Gonsalves claimed that the United States government had advised the SVG administration against switching diplomatic ties to mainland China, and against engaging in Citizenship by Investment programmes.
While in opposition the NDP, now in government, had promoted the “one-China” policy, arguing that switching relations from Taipei to Beijing would be in the “economic interest” of the country.
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