China puts heat on St. Lucia
China today turned up the heat in its campaign to discourage St. Lucia from restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan, warning the move would be an 'open violation' of a 1997 agreement establishing diplomatic relations between St. Lucia and Beijing, China Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao said.
In an extremely strong objection Liu said, in a statement released to the official Xinhus News Agency, that St. Lucia's efforts constitute 'brutal interference in China's internal affairs,' adding, 'We express indignation and opposition.'
China maintains it should have control of Taiwan, which separated from China during a civil war 58 years ago.
Meanwhile, Taiwan said Tuesday it had re-established diplomatic ties with the Caribbean island nation, according to an Associated Press report. Those ties had been severed by a previous administration in St. Lucia. A new administration came into power in December.
China does not allow for recognition of both China and Taiwan. Liu's statement also warned St. Lucia should limit diplomatic recognition to Beijing, 'Otherwise, the government of St. Lucia will be fully responsible for the consequences incurred.” He did not specify what actions that would entail.
