HONDURAS: President Ma Ying-jeou is optimistic about Taiwan's campaign to gain UN membership
Record ID:
1534302
HONDURAS: President Ma Ying-jeou is optimistic about Taiwan's campaign to gain UN membership
- Title: HONDURAS: President Ma Ying-jeou is optimistic about Taiwan's campaign to gain UN membership
- Date: 29th January 2010
- Summary: TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS (JANUARY 27, 2010) (REUTERS) (CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY) TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHER MA TALKING TO INTERPRETER (SOUNDBITE) (Taiwanese) TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU, SAYING: "On October 25, 1951 when we lost the country's representation at the United Nations we had always wanted to return to take part in activities within their specialized agenda. Two years ago we started a more pragmatic procedure. We adopted more flexible measures to participate within United Nation agencies' and had a substantial significant participation. That is why last year in the month of May we were able to participate at the World Health Assembly (...) I think as observers. It's the first time in 38 years we were able to take part in activities led by organized UN agencies and it has been a very important step for the country. If there are other similar cases, we'll take part in this modality." ATTENDEES LISTENING AND REPORTER TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Taiwanese) TAIWAN PRESIDENT MA YING-JEOU, SAYING: "We are improving relations with Western China (...) in Taiwan with what we call flexible diplomacy. We have also agreed to a diplomatic truce and put an end to vicious competition due a separation which has lasted more than 100 decades with communist China by trying to achieve diplomatic allies in a vicious way. I thought this was not positive for the international community. A diplomatic truce means putting an end to that vicious competition so that each country may develop their relations with allied countries so that they are able to develop commercial relations and not diplomatic ones. Throughout the years it has been proven this modality is possible, to put an end to this vicious confrontation and improve our international relations to better move around in the international arena. That way we have received more support from the Taiwanese people." MA HAVING PICTURE TAKEN / LEAVING
- Embargoed: 16th February 2010 01:42
- Keywords:
- Location: Honduras
- Country: Honduras
- Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAC2JIXKZW46DGQMR899QUVEC
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou discussed Taiwan's campaign to gain United Nations membership on Wednesday (January 27).
Ma mentioned that in May China agreed to allow Taiwan to take part in the World Health Assembly as an observer, in growing signs of warming ties between the two political rivals.
"On October 25, 1951 when we lost the country's representation at the United Nations we had always wanted to return to take part in activities within their specialized agenda. Two years ago we started a more pragmatic procedure. We adopted more flexible measures to participate within United Nation agencies' and had a substantial significant participation. That is why last year in the month of May we were able to participate at the World Health Assembly (...) I think as observers. It's the first time in 38 years we were able to take part in activities led by organized UN agencies and it has been a very important step for the country. If there are other similar cases, we'll take part in this modality," he told reporters during a news conference held in the Honduran capital city of Tegucigalpa after attending President Porfirio Lobo's swearing-in ceremony, ending months of political turmoil.
He also discussed Taiwan's relationship with China.
"We are improving relations with Western China (...) in Taiwan with what we call flexible diplomacy. We have also agreed to a diplomatic truce and put an end to vicious competition due a separation which has lasted more than 100 decades with communist China by trying to achieve diplomatic allies in a vicious way. I thought this was not positive for the international community. A diplomatic truce means putting an end to that vicious competition so that each country may develop their relations with allied countries so that they are able to develop commercial relations and not diplomatic ones. Throughout the years it has been proven this modality is possible, to put an end to this vicious confrontation and improve our international relations to better move around in the international arena. That way we have received more support from the Taiwanese people," he said.
Beijing has claimed sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan since 1949, when Communist forces won the Chinese civil war, and has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.
The two have long competed for global recognition, sometimes using "chequebook diplomacy" to woo aid-dependent poorer nations. Beijing still seeks to restrict Taiwan's world space, though tension has eased since China-friendly Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008.
Central America and the Caribbean are home to many of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, including Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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