Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/08/23
By: Joseph Yeh
Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Ambassadors from two of Taiwan’s Central American
allies reaffirmed Thursday their respective governments’ commitment to maintaining diplomatic relationship with the Republic of China (Taiwan), two days after neighboring El Salvador announced its change of allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs first announced the severing of ties with El Salvador Tuesday, after which El Salvador declared that it was cutting ties with Taiwan to establish relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) attributed the loyalty switch to China’s campaign of luring away Taiwan’s allies with promises of massive financial assistance and investment.
Since then, many local scholars and former diplomats, including ex-Foreign Minister Francisco Ou (歐鴻鍊) have warned that more Central America allies, particularly Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala, could be next in line. [FULL STORY]