Taiwan loses El Salvador to China in fresh diplomatic setback

Record ID: 1145819

  • Title: Taiwan loses El Salvador to China in fresh diplomatic setback
  • Date: 21st August 2018
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 21, 2018) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CHINA'S TOP DIPLOMAT STATE COUNCILLOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI AND EL SALVADOR'S FOREIGN MINISTER CARLOS CASTANEDA WALKING IN FOR SIGNING CEREMONY TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES WANG AND CASTANEDA TAKING THEIR SEATS MEDIA GATHERED WANG AND CASTANEDA SIGNING DOCUMENTS WANG SIGNING CASTANEDA SIGNING / CASTANEDA STANDING UP / WANG AND CASTANEDA EXCHANGING DOCUMENTS, SHAKING HANDS AND POSING FOR PHOTOS MEDIA SITTING WANG AND CASTANEDA WALKING IN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINA'S TOP DIPLOMAT STATE COUNCILLOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER, WANG YI, SAYING: "In this communique, the government of the Republic of El Salvador has acknowledged there is only one China in the world, the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. From today, the People's Republic of China has established ambassadorial-level diplomatic relations with the Republic of El Salvador, and relations between China and El Salvador have turned to a new historical page." WANG LOOKING ON (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) EL SALVADOR'S FOREIGN MINISTER, CARLOS CASTANEDA, SAYING: "We are confident this is the right path that will lead to greater development and the greater well-being of our people. This is a strategic decision proceeding from the fundamental interests of the two peoples." WANG AND CASTANEDA SHAKING HANDS AND POSING FOR PHOTOS TAIPEI, TAIWAN (AUGUST 21, 2018) (REUTERS) TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER JOSEPH WU WALKING IN AND TAKING THE MIDDLE SEAT CAMERAMAN STANDING NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, JOSEPH WU, SAYING: "After confirming all diplomatic channels (with El Salvador) were invalid this morning, I hereby announce the Taiwan government breaks diplomatic relations with El Salvador, comprehensively suspends bilateral cooperation and aid programs, and withdraws our embassy and technical teams." MEDIA GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, JOSEPH WU, SAYING: "We will keep walking ahead. Such pressure from China will only make us more determined to continue our path of democracy, freedom and sovereignty. Thank you." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 4th September 2018 06:19
  • Keywords: China Taiwan El Salvador diplomatic relations Wang Yi Carlos Castaneda China diplomacy Taiwan diplomacy
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA / TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • City: BEIJING, CHINA / TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0018U4QK3R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Taiwan lost another ally to Beijing on Tuesday (August 21) when El Salvador severed ties to become the third country to switch allegiances to China this year.
    In Beijing on Tuesday morning, China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with El Salvador's Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda for a signing ceremony to establish diplomatic ties. In Taipei, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu responded to the news, telling reporters that El Salvador had been continuously asking for "massive funding support" since last year for a port development, but Taiwan was unable to assist with the "unsuitable project" after assessment.
    Taiwan has accused China of luring its friends away with offers of generous aid packages. China denies this, and says Taiwan is a part of China with no right to formal diplomatic ties with any other country.
    The news came as Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen wrapped up a high-profile trip to Latin America, including stops in the United States, which drew broad criticism from China. Taiwan now has formal relations with just 17 countries worldwide, many of them poor nations in Central America and the Pacific like Belize and Nauru.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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