Nation loses diplomatic ally Dominica

Chen and Premier Yu Shyi-kun were informed of Dominica's move early yesterday morning.

Although Dominica switched diplomatic relations to Beijing, its foreign ministry still sent a congratulatory note on Chen's re-election, Chien said.

At a ministry press conference at 10:30am, Chien, Javier Hou (侯清山), director general of the ministry's Department of Central and South American Affairs, and other ministry officials looked tired after an overnight marathon meeting to discuss the diplomatic loss.

Grace Tong (董立群), a businesswoman who grew up in Taiwan and was educated in the US, acted as the intermediary between China and Dominica as the two sides negotiated the establishment of ties, Hou said.

Hou said that, since February, Taiwanese diplomats have been keeping a close eye on Tong, whose business in Dominica had been suffering. She served as Antigua and Barbuda's representative to China and began working secretly to forge China's ties with Dominica, Hou said.