Taipei Times
Date: Dec 22, 2016
By: Chen Wei-han and Alison Hsiao / Staff reporters

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday said that China was the

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lo Chih-cheng, center, speaks at a DPP news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday after Sao Tome and Principe announced its termination of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times

reason Sao Tome and Principe broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan, while the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus said foreign relations are tied to cross-strait issues and asked the government to pragmatically adjust its diplomatic strategy regarding Beijing.

DPP caucus secretary-general Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) said that China was apparently behind more efforts to isolate the nation, citing the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ announcement on its Web site of the African nation’s decision immediately after the move was declared.

Beijing continues to suppress Taiwan’s international presence, despite the olive branch President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has offered in a bid to maintain close links and the cross-strait “status quo,” Liu said.    [FULL  STORY]