The Republic of China (Taiwan) issued a statement expressing “strong disappointment and regret that the government of São Tomé and Príncipe has been lured by the dollar diplomacy campaign of mainland China and ignored the years of major contributions the Republic of China (Taiwan) has made to the improvement of the health and welfare of the people of São Tomé and Príncipe.”
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According to the statement, mainland China, “taking advantage of the massive financial difficulties faced by São Tomé and Príncipe, in its manipulation of the “one China principle” and dollar diplomacy, has demanded that São Tomé and Príncipe sever all ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a precondition for “providing full support and assistance” to São Tomé and Príncipe for its economic and social needs.”
Republic of China (Taiwan) states that it is an independent, sovereign nation cannot be denied by the so-called “one China principle” mentioned in the said communique.
Furthermore it states, “as a responsible and reliable partner of the international community, the Republic of China (Taiwan) will continue to work to strengthen and deepen relations of cooperation and friendship with our diplomatic partners.”
Sao Tome and Principe, a small island country off of Africa, abruptly severed diplomatic ties with Republic of China (Taiwan) last week and this week, re-established ties with People’s Republic of China in Beijing.
With its growing economic and military clout, China has been moving to isolate Taiwan diplomatically. Accused of using dollar diplomacy to pull away Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, China is pushing its One-China aggressively. [/restrict]