Taipei - Taiwan on Thursday claimed its diplomatic ties with Panama and the Marshall Islands are firm despite speculation that these two countries are mulling recognizing China. At a news conference, Foreign Minister James Huang admitted China is stepping up its diplomatic offensive to win over Taiwan's 24 remaining diplomatic allies, but Taipei's ties with Panama and the Marshall Islands are stable.
"Panama commands a strategic position in Central America and has always been a target of China, but currently Taiwan-Panama relationship is solid," he said.
Regarding reports that the Marshall Islands' newly-elected president, Litokwa Tomeing, plans to drop Taipei and recognize Beijing, Huang said President Chen Shui-bian on Wednesday telephoned Tomeing to congratulate him on his winning the presidency, and invited him to visit Taiwan. Tomeing has accepted Chen's invitation.
But Taiwan is still concerned about China's sabotaging Taipei-Marshall Islands ties and will send Deputy Foreign Minister Chu Yu-feng to the Marshall Islands on January 8 to discuss ties with President Tomeing and other Marshall Islands officials.
Tomeing was elected president on January 8. During his election campaign, he said he wanted a return to a "One China" policy - recognizing only the People's Republic of China - if he won the election.
As to Malawi, another of Taiwan's remaining 24 allies which is reportedly mulling recognizing China, Huang urged Malawi to think clearly.
"China has one billion people living under the poverty line. So how can it take care of Malawi?" he asked.
"At the China-African summit, China pledged 15 billion US dollars' aid to Africa, so how can China give 6 billion US dollars' aid to Malawi," Huang asked, referring to reports that Malawi plans to recognize China in exchange for Beijing's 6 billion US dollars' aid.
Taiwan-Malawi ties are at a critical juncture as Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika refused to meet with Huang when Huang flew to the south-eastern African nation to rescue ties last week.
On his way to Malawi and as he was changing flights at an airport in South African, Huang was told President Mutharika was on his annual leave and the foreign minister was not in the capital, so it was not convenient for Malawi to receive Huang.
Unable to visit Malawi, Huang flew to Swaziland - another of Taiwan's 24 allies - for a visit and to sign a 10-year cooperation pact instead.
