Salvadorans in Taiwan reflect on their president’s decision to switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/08/23
By: James Baron

“This guy is our Trump,” says Yao Lin (林駿堯), resignedly. “Everyone hates him and no one has a clue how he won the seat.”

Mario Argueta goes a step further. “As ignorant as someone can get,” he says. “He didn’t even finish college.”

The most withering assessment of all comes from a Salvadoran former student in Taiwan who spoke on condition of anonymity. “A money-thirsty, corrupt little man who lacks any knowledge of China and Chinese foreign policy,” he says.

They are referring to Salvador Ceren Sanchez in general and, in particular, the Salvadoran president’s announcement on Aug. 20 that his country was to establish ties with China. Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) has cited Taipei’s refusal to fund a port project, which – following a feasibility study – it deemed financially unsound – as the prime mover in San Salvador’s decision. Although the exact details of the project were not mentioned, it was clearly a reference to the La Union port in the southeast of the country.    [FULL  STORY]