Our relationship will not be ignored by Taiwan – Eustace

The relations between St Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan will not be affected by the policy of the Taiwanese government to resume harmonious relations with mainland China.{{more}}

This view was expressed by Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, who explained that there were some concerns expressed about the decision to seek rapprochement with mainland China.

“Some people have come to me and said what is going to happen now? Are we going to have the same sort of relationship? Would they provide us with assistance? Would our students still continue to go to Taiwan?” Eustace said on Tuesday, at a ceremony to recognise Taiwan’s National Day.

He said that these were some of the questions that people in the public had.

“I, however, believe, and I speak for my party here, that the relationship that we have developed over the years is so deep that I’m sure that in any negotiations, our relationship will not be ignored by Taiwan,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

Weber Shih, Taiwan’s Ambassador to St Vincent and the Grenadines, in his address, said that since taking office in 2008, one of the policies developed by President Ma Ying-jeou’s administration was the promotion of viable diplomacy.

“By adopting the principle of dignity, autonomy, pragmatism and flexibility, it has managed to expand Taiwan’s international space, consolidate relations with diplomatic allies and enhance substantive ties with other nations,” Shih said.

He said over a five-year period, the government had striven to seek rapprochement with mainland China in order to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait.

“After years of hard work, we have managed to turn the Taiwan Strait from a potential flash point for conflict into a peaceful and prosperous corridor in the Asia-Pacific region,” the Taiwanese Ambassador said.(DD)