Feelings mixed over Kiribati ties

Taiwan's of official ties with Kiribati might have been a boost for President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) government but contributed little to Taiwan's international diplomatic standing, legislators said yesterday.

Nevertheless, an opposition lawmaker noted that increasing the number of Taiwan's diplomatic allies could help the country in joining international organizations.

But there was also concern over what incentives had been offered.

"In next week's legislative session, we will question the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) as to how much money it promised to pay Kiribati in order to persuade it to establish diplomatic ties with us," said Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Sun Kuo-hwa (孫國華).

A member of the legislature's Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee, Sun acknowledged building official ties with Kiribati was of use to Taiwan.

"It helps to prove the existence of Taiwan," said Sun.

Due China's opposition, Taiwan cannot not enter the UN and many other international organizations.

"Diplomatic ties with Kiribati will help Taiwan's bids to join the UN, the World Health Organization and other international organizations," Sun said.

Kiribati, which stated it still wished to continue diplomatic links with China, received a warning from China yesterday.

China's Xinhua Web site ran a headline on Taiwan's establishment of diplomatic ties with Kiribati. China's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue (章啟月) demanded Kiribati "correct its wrong decision to build official ties with Taiwan."

While Kiribati to hold fast to the "one China" policy, Zhang warned that it would "face serious results" if it does not change its decision to recognize Taiwan.

Commenting China's harsh warning to Kiribati, Sun said China was still trying to reverse Kiribati's decision.

"China did not immediately cut its ties with Kiribati. This means China believes there is still room for negotiation to win Kiribati back," Sun said.

Kiribati's with China were believed to have been strong because the country provides one of three Chinese space-monitoring stations overseas and played a role in China's first manned space mission.

China's aid was also a significant supplement to Kiribati's income.

However, Kiribati, with debts amounting to US$20 million and a population of less than 100,000, could benefit neither Taiwan's national security nor its economic development, Sun said.

"President Chen will do whatever he can to improve his diplomatic record by next year's presidential election. Although the public may rejoice at having a new ally, the international community really cares very little about Taiwan having another tiny ally," Sun said.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Parris Chang (張旭成), also a convener of the legislature's Foreign and Overseas Affairs Committee, disagreed with Sun concerning the advantages of establishing diplomatic ties with Kiribati.

Chang, a staunch opponent of checkbook diplomacy, said Kiribati would be an important site for Taiwan to develop aerospace technology. Kiribati's military and strategic assets were also remarkable, Chang said.

Kiribati benefit Taiwan's economy because it owns large fishing grounds. Taiwan's blue-water fishing fleet will get a bonus from ties with Kiribati because trawlers will be able to anchor at the country's ports to provision, Chang said.

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