We are sticking with Taiwam – Gonsalves

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves affirmed this position at the reception for the 108th National Day Celebrations for that country, held here last Tuesday.

“For 38 years, successive governments in St Vincent and the Grenadines have had very close relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan),” Gonsalves said.

Unfortunately, one of the two major political parties in the state had made a decision and announced in advance its plan to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, i.e. mainland China, Dr. Gonsalves said in reference to the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).

“It is not too late for them to change their minds, and I am urging them so to do,” the Prime Minister said.

Taiwan had accomplished so much, and the diplomatic relations between SVG and Taiwan have brought numerous benefits to both countries, PM Gonsalves proffered.

“It is not the Republic of China on Taiwan that has established a One China policy,” he said.

But this country maintained that there is one Chinese civilization, and that there are legitimate political expressions of that civilization.

“And the Republic of China (Taiwan) is one such political expression of this great and noble Chinese civilization,” said Gonsalves.

According to the prime minister, this country has nothing against the citizens of mainland China, but the fact that in this global international architecture, he said that it had evolved where mainland China says there is a one China policy.

“Well, we have 38 years of relations with Taiwan and have had great benefits, and do not see the necessity and desirability of changing those relations,” Dr. Gonsalves assured. (VIN)