Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on Friday said that Guatemala’s incoming government had “reassured” him that it intends to maintain formal ties with Taiwan, as China gradually whittles away at Taipei’s remaining allies.
Only 13 countries officially recognize Taiwan, most of which are in Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific. New governments are always a nervous moment as they weigh whether to stick with Taipei or switch diplomatic relations to Beijing.
Honduras in March ended its decades-long relationship with Taiwan in favor of China following the election in late 2021 of Xiomara Castro as president.
Photo: AFP
Wu told reporters that the nation’s ambassador in Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America, had spoken with senior people in the incoming administration of Guatemalan president-elect Bernardo Arevalo.
“I think we were reassured that they would like the keep the relations with Taiwan, so that should be no problem,” Wu said.
Arevalo said on the campaign trail that he would pursue closer trade relations with China if he was elected.
Wu said some other countries that had ditched Taiwan for China were disappointed after Beijing had not lived up to its trade and investment promises.
“From what we have heard from these people, they were all very disappointed, and therefore the incoming team in Guatemala has also heard those kinds of stories about the Chinese promises,” he said.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the criticism, saying this would not change the “positive momentum” in China’s ties with countries that had ended relations with Taiwan.
The US has watched with concern as Beijing takes away Taiwan’s allies in the region, traditionally Washington’s backyard.
“I think the United States also understands the significance for Taiwan being able to maintain diplomatic relations with those Caribbean and Latin American countries,” Wu said.
Arevalo’s anti-corruption platform helped spring him to a shock landslide victory in August elections, but the transition process ahead of him taking office next month has been troubled with accusations that a politicized justice system is trying to stymie the process.
Wu said he hoped the transition would take place peacefully.
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