The nation’s foreign service is to battle on in the face China’s diplomatic offensive, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee (李大維) said yesterday, as he received the nation’s returning ambassador to Panama after the Central American country switched its alliance to Beijing last week.
“The current state of developments has clearly demonstrated that Beijing has decided to go on the offense, and in the face of this the only choice every member of the foreign service has is to face this battle head-on,” he said on arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to receive former ambassador to Panama Miguel Tsao (曹立傑).
“In my view, all members of the foreign service have continued to work hard and battle on, despite the difficult situation,” Lee said. “I have come [to the airport] to represent the ministry in supporting and affirming Tsao, as well as to express consolation for some injustices to which he has been subjected.”
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
Panama broke off relations less than one month after Tsao was sent to the nation as an ambassador and before he was able to present his credentials, leading to accusations by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators that he had been sent as a scapegoat to protect former ambassador Jose Maria Liu (劉德立), who was promoted to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The loss of a second ally, after Sao Tome and Principe cut ties with Taiwan in December last year, has also renewed calls within the pan-green camp for Lee’s resignation.
Lee has served in multiple DPP administrations, but has a pan-blue background.
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times
“Under these difficult circumstances, as long as our president believes that I can still do something for the diplomacy of the Republic of China, that is my unshirkable duty; I am duty-bound not to turn away,” he said yesterday.
Tsao presented Lee with the Republic of China flag which had flown over the nation’s embassy, choking up briefly as he greeted the minister.
“Minister, I did not accomplish the mission you assigned and our flag has come down. However, I brought it back because we in the foreign service will continue to work hard for our nation’s honor and dignity,” he said, adding that he would “never forget” the lowering of the flag and expressing confidence that it would be raised again.
Foreign service members had continued to fight to prevent the breaking off of relations until 10 minutes before Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela’s televised announcement, he said, adding that he had not had “any hesitation” in accepting the ambassadorial post in January because it was his “dream” and “battlefield.”
Meanwhile, reports emerged yesterday that Panama has demanded that the nation’s embassy be dismantled within 30 days, rather than the two to three months proposed by the nation’s diplomatic representatives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said that discussions on dismantling the embassy would continue, adding that appropriate measures would be taken to protect the nation’s foreign property.
The arrangement of relations and handling of unfinished projects would also be left to future bilateral talks, the ministry said, adding that “now is not the time to consider” establishing an alternative representative office in the country.
Additional reporting by Chu Pei-hsiung and Lu Yi-hsuan
The Thai government on Friday announced that Taiwanese would be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days per entry, under the Southeast Asian country’s visa-free program starting from today. Taiwan is among 93 countries included in the Thai visa-waiver program, which has been expanded from 57 countries, with the visa-exempt entry extended from 30 to 60 days. After taking office last year, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to grant more visa waivers to foreign travelers as part of efforts to stimulate tourism. The expanded visa-waiver program was on Friday signed by Thai Minister of the Interior Anutin
CHIPS AND DEFENSE: Trump said the US had lost its chip business and Taipei should pay it for defense, and added that ‘we’re no different than an insurance company’ Taiwan-US relations are solid, and both sides are in agreement that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region are everyone’s concern, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday following comments by former US president Donald Trump that Taiwan “should pay” for US defense. Taiwan is thankful to the US for supporting Taiwan’s bid to participate in international organizations, Cho told a news conference in Taipei. “I know the people very well, respect them greatly. They did take about 100 percent of our chip business,” Trump told Bloomberg on June 25 in an interview that was published on Tuesday. “I think
SHOW OF SUPPORT: Taiwan has been one of the largest buyers of US defense equipment, supporting American businesses and jobs, US lawmakers said Taiwan has been paying for its own defense, a US Department of State official said on Wednesday, adding that purchases of military equipment are important to the US economy and for ensuring regional security. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller was asked at a news conference about comments by former US president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in November’s US presidential election, who said during an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek that Taiwan should pay Washington for its defense needs. “The purchases that they [Taiwan] have made not only are important, we believe, to regional security, but are important to the United States economy,”
SECURITY CONCERNS: An FBI agent said it was surprising that the shooter, whose motive remains unknown, was able to open fire before the Secret Service killed him On the heels of an apparent attempt to kill him, former US president Donald Trump yesterday called for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him injured, but “fine,” and the shooter and a rally-goer dead. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting His aides said he was in “great spirits” and doing well. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” he