TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Foreign Minister James Huang said Thursday the island was prepared to defend against China’s use of “dirty tricks” in the ongoing battle between the rivals for diplomatic recognition.
Huang told a press conference that Beijing could try to take advantage of Taiwan’s focus on Saturday’s parliamentary election and presidential polls in March to convince countries that recognise Taipei to switch their allegiance.
“With the vote approaching, there are signs that China may use ‘dirty tricks’ against Taiwan again in order to hurt our morale,” Huang said.
“The foreign ministry will not sit idle,” he said, adding that it was “ready to take on any challenges” from China.
The warning came amid reports that China was seeking to woo Malawi as a diplomatic ally with some six billion US dollars in aid, prompting Huang to schedule a visit to the southern African nation early this month.
But he was forced to cancel his mission at the last minute after officials said Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika was unable to receive him.
Africa is one of the main diplomatic battlegrounds for Taiwan and China, which have accused each other of luring allies away with “chequebook diplomacy.”
Only 24 countries now recognise Taipei, which Beijing regards as part of its territory awaiting reunification — by force if necessary. Taiwan and China split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
Eight of Taiwan’s former allies have switched their diplomatic allegiance to Beijing since President Chen Shui-bian took office in 2000 — Chad, Costa Rica, Dominica, Grenada, Liberia, Macedonia, Senegal and Vanuatu.
Huang called on the Malawi government to treasure its 42-year-old friendship with Taiwan, pledging that Taipei “is sincere in its willingness to help Malawi develop its economy.”
The new president of the Marshall Islands, one of six Pacific island nations that recognises Taiwan, had previously indicated that he might switch the country’s recognition to China, but now appears to be backtracking.
President Litokwa Tomeing spoke by phone with Chen late Wednesday and accepted an invitation to visit him in Taipei, according to a recording of the conversation played by officials for reporters in Majuro.
Tomeing this week also named several ministers to his cabinet who support Majuro’s continued diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
