Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
No change in  policy regarding  relationship with Taiwan, says  Opposition Leader
From Left: Dwight ‘Fitz’ Bramble and OPPOSITION LEADER, Dr Godwin Friday
News
April 6, 2023

No change in policy regarding relationship with Taiwan, says Opposition Leader

The declaration of undying friendship with Taiwan expressed on Tuesday by an Opposition Member of Parliament in no way reflects any change in the position of the New Democratic Party regarding its relationship with the Republic of China on Taiwan.

So says Leader of the Opposition and President of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Dr Godwin Friday, who told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that comments made in Parliament by Member of Parliament for East Kingstown, Fitzgerald Bramble were simply an expression of gratitude.

“We have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have maintained good relations with them in terms of our relationship in the country; the way in which we conduct business, and we attend functions, we get along. We are very thankful for the support that they have provided and I think that is what he was reflecting, and that is not different from what we have said in the past,” the Opposition Leader said.

On Tuesday, during debate on a Bill for an Act to authorize the government to secure a US$45 million loan from Taiwan to assist in financing the National Secondary Roads Improvement Programme, Bramble, while expressing thanks to Taiwan said: “The fact is, the New Democratic Party has always been a long standing friend of the government and people of Taiwan and we don’t intend to change that.”

Bramble’s statement was interpreted by some, including members of the Government, to mean that the NDP had retreated from the position articulated in 2016 by former president Arnhim Eustace and endorsed in 2018 by current party leader Godwin Friday, that if elected to government, the NDP will adopt the “One China Policy” and cut ties with Taiwan.

Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves who presented the Bill in Parliament said in response to Bramble’s statement that you could have “knocked [him] down with a feather” when he heard what amounted to the “radical repositioning of the position of the party (NDP) regarding continued recognition of Taiwan…”.

Gonsalves told members of the House he was happy as a Parliament that the Government and Opposition of SVG are unanimous in their support of Taiwan and intend to continue the relationship with Taiwan. Gonsalves said he hopes Beijing hears this.

However Friday told SEARCHLIGHT that any statement on the NDP’s position “ in respect to one country or another” would come from him.

“ I have not said anything contrary to the position we have adopted in the past.”

In 2018, at a press briefing at Democrat House, Friday told journalists that If the NDP is to form government, they will sever ties with Taiwan and instead pursue diplomatic relations with mainland China.

When pressed on Wednesday whether the NDP will sever ties with Taiwan in favour of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China should the NDP form government at the next General Elections, Friday said the party will take that decision when the time comes.

“…[We] look for the best interest of St Vincent and Grenadines, and international relations, especially as it relates to those two countries, are always in flux and they seem to be changing almost on a daily basis. And so we assess those situations as the election emerges. The election is not a reason for adopting a position. Our position is based on principle,” Friday said.

He however reiterated that the NDP has “very good relations with Taiwan and we continue to have those relations. They are a country that we have diplomatic relations with and that we have had cordial and friendly relationships over the past number of years. We hope to have those relations with them.”

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Jones ought to be found guilty, says Prosecutor
    Front Page
    Jones ought to be found guilty, says Prosecutor
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    THE PROSECUTOR in a court case where Radio DJ, Christopher Jones, aka 2-Kool Chris, has been charged for wounding, has argued that Jones’ actions were...
    Defense counsel argues ‘2-Kool Chris’ acted in self defense
    Front Page
    Defense counsel argues ‘2-Kool Chris’ acted in self defense
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    THE LAWYER representing Christopher Jones also known as ‘2 Kool Chris’ in a wounding matter, asked the court this week whether his client was supposed...
    Free Movement Legislation gets full nod of approval
    Front Page
    Free Movement Legislation gets full nod of approval
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    ON MONDAY, September 28, 2025, Members of Parliament gave full support to two pieces of legislation having to do with the free movement of people amon...
    Prefab homes being erected in the Southern Grenadines
    Front Page
    Prefab homes being erected in the Southern Grenadines
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    SEVERAL ISSUES in the Southern Grenadines relating to land ownership and terrain have been identified as being responsible for slowing the government’...
    Flag raising and fireworks kick off Independence Month celebrations
    Front Page
    Flag raising and fireworks kick off Independence Month celebrations
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    A FLAG RAISING and lighting ceremony on Wednesday evening, October 1, 2025 marked the start of month-long activities to celebrate this country’s 46th ...
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    News
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has expressed concern about “dire consequences for our region” should there be any escalation in tensions between ...
    News
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    News
    PM concerned over growing US-Venezuela tensions
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has expressed concern about “dire consequences for our region” should there be any escalation in tensions between ...
    Maduro says Venezuelans are calm, but ready to defend themselves
    News
    Maduro says Venezuelans are calm, but ready to defend themselves
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    DESPITE THE PRESENCE of warships from the United States of America on its doorsteps, and at least one nuclear submarine, life goes on as usual in Vene...
    Dr Friday promises no victimisation under his NDP Administration
    News
    Dr Friday promises no victimisation under his NDP Administration
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    AS GENERAL ELECTIONS in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), draws closer Leader of the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), Dr. Godwin Friday is pr...
    Lawyers to engage secondary school students as part of Law Week activities
    News
    Lawyers to engage secondary school students as part of Law Week activities
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    THIS YEAR, as part of the local law week, students from six schools will be given the opportunity to engage lawyers on topics of their (students) choo...
    HR Executive and Leadership Coach launches bite-size advice series and online Hub
    News
    HR Executive and Leadership Coach launches bite-size advice series and online Hub
    Webmaster 
    October 3, 2025
    HUMAN RESOURCES practitioner, Karen James, last weekend launched her long-anticipated BiteSize advice series, a collection of nine impactful books des...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok