The diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and St. Lucia remains strong, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday, amid rumors that the Caribbean state could severe ties with Taiwan within the next few weeks.
Taiwan’s official diplomatic relations with 12 sovereign states located in the Central and South America are “very stable,” said Jaime Wu, director-general of the MOFA’s Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.
The remark came amid suspicions that the new St. Lucia government, which took office after the general election late last November, might switch diplomatic recognition to China.
Kenny Anthony, the island nation’s new prime minister, had previously accused Taiwan’s Ambassador Tom Chou of influencing St. Lucia’s election by supporting the then-ruling United Workers Party (UWP) and added he would review the diplomatic relations with Taiwan after taking power.
“After the election, Anthony had announced in public that he would maintain relations with Taiwan,” said Wu, clarifying worries about the diplomatic jeopardy.
However, when asked if the ministry intended to replace Chou, Wu gave a more conservative answer.
The director-general said that evaluations are held regularly and a personnel reshuffle will be made under necessary conditions.
St. Lucia first established diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1984 but switched recognition to China in 1997.
In 2007, after 10 years of relations with Beijing, the ruling UWP government renewed ties with Taipei after it gained power.
(Source http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201201100010)
