Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Taiwan's ties with El Salvador 'solid': MOFA

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday that Taiwan's diplomatic ties with El Salvador remain solid amid reports that the Central American country is considering switching its allegiance to recognize the People's Republic of China.

"Relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and El Salvador remain solid, " MOFA spokesman James Chang said in a press briefing.

According to the Associated Press and Reuters, El Salvador President Mauricio Funes told reporters at the opening of a Chinese trade fair in the Salvadoran capital of San Salvador that his country was exploring the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with China.

"If it is good for the country, we will do it, " Reuters quoted Funes as saying.

Chang said Taiwan's representative office in El Salvador contacted Salvadoran authorities upon learning the news and reaffirmed the two countries' bilateral relations.

He said the strength of the relationship was demonstrated by continuing visits of high-ranking Salvadoran officials to Taiwan, including its foreign minister and deputy speaker of the parliament.

"However, we understand why El Salvador is looking to increase its trade and economic relations with China, which President Funes said in his comments, " Chang said.

El Salvador's representative office in Taiwan was not immediately available for comment.

President Ma Ying-jeou said on Jan. 13 that Taiwan will not oppose China's development of unofficial economic and trade ties with El Salvador because the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have achieved reconciliation on multiple fronts.

Ma attended Funes' inauguration in San Salvador in May 2009, and when the two presidents met, Funes promised to strengthen diplomatic ties with Taiwan, according to Ma.

In response to Funes' goodwill, Ma said he also told him that Taiwan would not oppose El Salvador's interest in forging unofficial ties with China.

Funes had previously hinted at seeking to establish official relations with China after assuming office last year.

The "flexible diplomacy" approach advocated by President Ma has reduced cross-Taiwan Strait tensions and kept the two sides from engaging in a battle to lure diplomatic allies, Chang said.

Taiwan has not lost any diplomatic allies since Ma took office in May 2008.

Twelve of Taiwan's 23 diplomatic allies are located in Central America and the Caribbean. (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls