But on Thursday, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Fiji’s three-party coalition government had decided to put on hold the restoration of the mission’s official title and diplomatic privileges due to intense pressure from Beijing.
“After the Fiji government decided to restore the official title of our mission, the Chinese embassy there not only protested against the move but also threatened to take retaliatory actions,” the Taiwanese ministry said in a statement.
In a visit to Fiji in April, the mainland’s foreign vice-minister Ma Zhaoxu put even more pressure on Suva, prompting the coalition government to revoke the office’s permission to reinstate its name following a series of cabinet discussions, the Taiwanese ministry said.
The Taiwanese ministry expressed regret over Fiji’s failure to “uphold its position” and condemned Beijing for “repeatedly suppressing Taiwan in the international arena and belittling our sovereignty”.
The Taiwanese ministry said since Taipei opened its representative office in Suva in 1971, the two sides enjoyed close cooperation and exchanges in the areas of agriculture, fishery, medical care, education and talent cultivation, which had greatly benefited the people of Fiji.
It said it would continue to share Taiwan’s success stories in economic development with Pacific island nations and devote itself to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Related posts
‘Snowball effect’: China could double down on talent build-up
All have returned to China in recent months from top overseas institutions. Their homecoming reflects a...-
Europe should focus on beating US tariffs, not Chinese EVs
There are fresh worries across Europe’s factory floors. The US has started applying steel and aluminium... Badenoch says her migration plan ‘credible’, but won’t say where 150,000 people a year being removed will go – UK politics live
From 3h ago Badenoch says her migration plan ‘credible’, but won’t say where 150,000 people a...
