be next diplomatic

Fiji, Vanuatu could be next diplomatic battleground

FIJI and Vanuatu could be the next states targeted by Taiwan after it persuaded Papua New Guinea to switch diplomatic recognition to Taipei from Beijing, Taipei local media said early July. PNG has reversed the

recognition but encouraged by its victory

over China, Taiwan may also keep an eye on the two tiny Pacific states, the cable tele vision TVBS said.

As PNG had previously done, the pair have signed agreements with Taipei to recognise its statehood, while stopping short of full recognition.

Both countries have growing trade links with Taiwan and receive large amounts of aid from the Asian country. Taiwanese fish ermen has also been fishing in Fiji for a number of years.

Asked to comment on the report, acting foreign ministry spokesman Henry Chen said: “For consideration of diplomatic inter ests, we would like to conduct engagement with any country.”

“Just as (foreign) minister (Jason) Hu said, in our efforts to promote diplomacy, we’ll never be reluctant to knock on any door that could be tapped, and nor will we be reluctant to shake hands that could be shook.”

PNG was, for a short time, the 29th country to recognise Taiwan, which Beijing has regarded as a breakaway province ever since a civil war in 1949 led to the island state splitting from the mainland.

In January, Taipei made its first diplo matic win over rival China this year when Macedonia switched diplomatic recognition from Beijing to Taipei. (AFP) ■