ROC cuts diplomatic relations with the Republic of Malawi

The Republic of China severed 42 years of diplomatic ties with Malawi Jan. 14, following the African nation's decision to switch its allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.

ROC Deputy Foreign Minister Yang Tzu-pao said at a press conference in Taipei that he regretted Malawi's decision to establish diplomatic ties with China due to monetary enticements, and confirmed the cessation of all diplomatic aid projects in the African country funded by Taiwan.

After founding relations with Malawi in 1966, Taiwan assisted in the construction of the southern African country's infrastructure and the implementation of bilateral cooperative projects that both the Malawian people and government were satisfied with, Yang noted. However, China has never ceased in its efforts to lure Taiwan's diplomatic ally away and tried several times in the past to split ties between the two countries.

Last year, China offered Malawi a US$6 billion carrot to end diplomatic relations in favor of Beijing, Yang stated. And despite the government of Taiwan's continued friendship and sincere communications with the government of one of Africa's poorest countries, the Malawians chose to abandon their old friend, he added. China and its state-controlled companies have invested billions of dollars in Africa in a bid to tap natural resources for the Asian giant's growing economy and build Beijing's political influence in the developing world.

For the people and government of Taiwan, Malawi's move is considered enormously insulting and highly discourteous, Yang stressed, especially since the timing of the breakup came during President Chen Shui-bian and Foreign Minister James Huang's visit to Guatemala, a Central American ally, he added.

The Malawian defection leaves Taiwan with 23 diplomatic allies, four of which are in Africa, including Burkina Faso, Gambia, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe. Malawi was the third ally to severe diplomatic ties with Taiwan since 2006, following Chad and Costa Rica.

Yang criticized China for restricting Taiwan's international space by offering monetary incentives in exchange for diplomatic ties, and regretted Malawi forsaking its national dignity and commitments made to Taiwan.

The southern African nation was thought to be on the verge of switching diplomatic relations before Christmas last year, when Malawian newspaper Nyasa Times reported that high-ranking Malawian officials, including President Bingu wa Mutharika, were in Beijing for talks on establishing diplomatic ties. Speculation heightened earlier this month when both the Malawian president and foreign minister declined to receive Huang, who visited the former African ally in a last-ditch effort to save bilateral relations.