The Taiwan Technical Mission yes-terday moved into a compound in Kiribati formerly used by China as a satellite station that had played a key role in the launching of the Shenzhou 5 space craft.
Taiwan's ambassador to Kiribati, Samuel Chen (
"The station was there only to promote China's strategic interests and has not improved the life of the Kiribati people," he said.
After Taiwan established ties with Kiribati on Nov. 7 last year, China did not immediately conclude its relationship with Kiribati, as it has done to other countries that have switched diplomatic recognition from Beijing to Taipei. Following the announcement of the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Kiribati, China tried to persuade Kiribati to change its decision because it was reluctant to give up the satellite station, officials said.
The PRC even mobilized a small crowd to protest to the local government about the establishment of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but the government of Kiribati stood firm in its decision, Chen said.
About a week after the announcement of ties between Tai-wan and Kiribati, China sent a ship to Kiribati and a group of Chinese technicians started dismantling facilities in the compound, said Randy Wang (汪漢源), councilor to Taiwan's embassy in Kiribati.
The technicians removed the station's equipment to the ship and deserted the compound. Many local government agencies had vied for ownership of the compound since China abandoned it, Wang said.
On Wednesday the government of Kiribati decided to make the compound available to the Taiwan Technical Mission.
Officials from the Taiwanese embassy in Kiribati and members of a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) visited the compound yesterday.
Michael Lu (呂瑞源), leader of the Taiwan Technical Mission, arrived in Kiribati for the first time yesterday morning. He will be joined in Kiribtati by other agricultural experts later this month.
"It is very good to have these buildings in the compound for our accommodation. We will also use this place for training. It is very difficult finding accommodation in Kiribati," Lu said.
Kiribati's climate, water quality and soil types are not suitable for agricultural development. In the initial stage, the agricultural experts will try to teach local people to grow tropical fruits and vegetables, Lu said.
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