Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Malawi looking shaky

Taipei - Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Malawi looked very unstable on Friday as Taipei confirmed that the African nation has refused to receive a visit by Taiwan's foreign minister who flew to Malawi to try to rescue ties. Foreign Minister James Huang left Wednesday and was scheduled to arrive in Malawi Thursday afternoon to consolidate ties as Malawi is mulling recognizing China.

But when Huang contacted Malawi's Foreign Minister Joyce Hilda Banda on his way to Malawi, he was told that President Bingu wa Mutharika was on a vacation and Banda would be out of the country when Huang arrived.

"Banda said it was inconvenient for Malawi to receive Huang at that time, and said he would invite Huang to visit Malawi at a later date," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh said.

Regarding Malawi's having agreed to Huang's visit and then refusing to receive him, Yeh said: "This is usual."

Because of the change, Huang went to Swaziland, another of Taiwan's 24 diplomatic allies.

He has met with Swaziland Prime Minister Themba Dlamini and Foreign Minister Moses Mathendele Dlamini. Huang is scheduled was to sign a 10-year cooperation pact with Swaziland later Friday, Yeh said.

Huang visited Malawi in December to cement ties. But on December 24, Malawi sent two ministers to Beijing to sign a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for launching diplomatic ties, prompting Huang to make the second visit in a month.

Malawian press said President Mutharika had approved recognizing China in view of Beijing's growing political and economic power.

To open ties with China, Malawi must first cut ties with Taiwan because China requires Beijing's allies to accept its "one-China" policy.

Taiwan has said it treasured its 41-year-old relationship with Malawi, but China has offered a 6-billion-US-dollar check to Malawi and Taipei does not want to compete with China in dollar diplomacy.

Malawi is one of the 24 mostly-small nations that recognize Taiwan. Some 170 countries recognize China and regard Taiwan as China's breakaway province.