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Kiribati switches diplomatic ties from China to Taiwan
Majuro, Nov 07: The central pacific nation of Kiribati today switched its diplomatic ties from China to Taiwan, a statement from its capital Tarawa said.
Majuro, Nov 07: The central pacific nation of
Kiribati today switched its diplomatic ties from China to
Taiwan, a statement from its capital Tarawa said.
The switch by Kiribati, which hosts a key tracking facility for China's space programme, is the first major foreign policy move of new President Anote Tong, who has been in office less than six months.
Kiribati becomes the 27th nation to recognise Taiwan. In the pacific, Kiribati joins with the Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands in maintaining ties with Taiwan.
In the statement the Kiribati Foreign Ministry said it will "continue to recognise the government of (China)" and expressed hope that relations with the China "will continue to prosper in the future".
Kiribati has maintained diplomatic links with China since the 1980s. China considers Taiwan a renegade province and does not recognise it.
Kiribati said it will support recognition of Taiwan, which is not a member of the united nations and many international organisations because of opposition from China.
Tong and Taiwan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chou-Seng Tou held talks over the past week that led to an agreement, the Ministry said.
The two nations have agreed to cooperate over development in Kiribati, agriculture, fisheries, education and health. Taiwan will encourage its fishing vessels to use Kiribati ports to boost the local economy, the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Bureau Report
The switch by Kiribati, which hosts a key tracking facility for China's space programme, is the first major foreign policy move of new President Anote Tong, who has been in office less than six months.
Kiribati becomes the 27th nation to recognise Taiwan. In the pacific, Kiribati joins with the Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands in maintaining ties with Taiwan.
In the statement the Kiribati Foreign Ministry said it will "continue to recognise the government of (China)" and expressed hope that relations with the China "will continue to prosper in the future".
Kiribati has maintained diplomatic links with China since the 1980s. China considers Taiwan a renegade province and does not recognise it.
Kiribati said it will support recognition of Taiwan, which is not a member of the united nations and many international organisations because of opposition from China.
Tong and Taiwan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chou-Seng Tou held talks over the past week that led to an agreement, the Ministry said.
The two nations have agreed to cooperate over development in Kiribati, agriculture, fisheries, education and health. Taiwan will encourage its fishing vessels to use Kiribati ports to boost the local economy, the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Bureau Report