Guyana on Thursday (Feb. 4) abruptly terminated an agreement with Taiwan that allowed it to open a Taiwan office in the South American country. Hours earlier, China urged Georgetown to “correct their mistake”.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said earlier Thursday that it had signed an agreement with Guyana (known in Taiwan as Guyana) on Jan. 11 to establish a “Taiwan office” in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The office is effectively a diplomatic representation for Taiwan.
Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday afternoon that Guyana is rescinding the agreement and continues to adhere to the “One China” policy.
“The government has not established any diplomatic relations or ties with Taiwan and the agreement has been terminated due to inadequate communication on the signed agreement,” Guyana said in a statement.
In response to a question from Voice of America regarding the termination of Guyana’s Taiwan office, Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Mei-Chin Hsiao, responded by saying, “The relevant statement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a unified manner. The representative office in the U.S. has no other explanatory comments at this Time other than to thank the U.S. for its interest and support for Taiwan’s strengthening of relations with other American countries.”
Taiwan has formal diplomatic relations with only 14 countries, including four Caribbean nations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded to Guyana’s agreement with Taiwan by saying that Beijing hopes Guyana will not develop official relations with Taiwan and called on Guyana to “take practical measures to correct its mistake.”
China claims that Taiwan is part of China and has no right to establish diplomatic relations.
Guyana has had diplomatic relations with Beijing since 1972. Last March, elections were held in the newly oiled Guyana, and the counting process was controversial. Then-President Granger refused to relinquish power after opposition leader Ali took the lead in the preliminary recount results. Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called on Granger last July to step aside and impose visa restrictions on individuals who undermine Guyana’s democracy. Ali was sworn in as president on Aug. 2. Last September, Pompeo became the first U.S. Secretary of State in history to visit Guyana. During his visit, he called on South American countries to be wary of the Chinese model.
The Biden administration “welcomed” the announcement of Taiwan’s agreement with Guyana to establish an office immediately afterwards.
The U.S. Embassy in Guyana issued a statement “applauding” the agreement between Taiwan and Guyana.
The statement said, “Deepening ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security. Increased ties with Taiwan will advance cooperation and development in Guyana based on shared democratic values, transparency and mutual respect.”
Julie Chung, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, tweeted, “The United States welcomes the establishment of a Taiwan office in Guyana, which will strengthen the evolving relationship.”
The United States is concerned about China’s deepening influence in Latin America. Guyana, once a British colony, neighbors and has territorial disputes with Venezuela, which has internal and external problems. China is Venezuela’s main ally.
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