Salvadoran President Antonio Saca promised his country would not establish diplomatic ties with China during his presidency, Taiwanese ambassador Hou Ping-fu (侯平福) said Thursday.
Following an AFP report that said the country's foreign ministry is considering the possibility of establishing diplomatic and trade ties with China, Saca called Hou to assure him that his nation would not switch its allegiance to Beijing.
"President Saca said he hoped the government and people of the Republic of China (ROC) would not worry [about a change in diplomatic recognition.] He said El Salvador has been and will be the ROC's ally," Hou told reporters.
Saca also said he would call President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to clear up the misunderstanding if necessary, Hou added.
Adding to the chorus of assurances, Salvadoran Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez also called Hou and said the report misinterpreted his remarks.
On Wednesday, after the local Chamber of Commerce suggested relations with China could be good for Salvadoran coffee and pharmaceutical exports, Lainez said: "I believe it is important to analyze the possibility of such a move."
The Salvadoran Foreign Ministry said in a statement released Thursday that El Salvador will maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is willing to "listen to and analyze" calls from its private sector to establish trade ties with China.
The ministry said in the statement: "In recent days [the ministry] has unofficially learned of an interest by certain Salvadoran business leaders in seeking trade opportunities with the People's Republic of China. Upon receiving the request, [the ministry] will listen and analyze in such a manner as to neither obstruct nor restrict eminently commercial ties or relations that may be of interest to the business sector."
Hou said he understands that calls from the Salvadoran private sector to build trade relations with China has put Lainez under considerable pressure.
Salvadoran business leaders believe China's accession to the World Trade Organization has created an opportunity for exports to the country -- a prospect that makes the Chinese market increasingly attractive to them.
"As the foreign minister, he cannot ignore the private sector's appeals ... I still have confidence in our relationship with El Salvador," Hou said.
The ambassador said the Salvadoran defense minister is set to depart for Taiwan today and that a delegation of the country's economic and trade officials will also visit Taiwan in December.
"Next March, the Salvadoran vice president will lead another business delegation to Taipei to join seminars discussing investment in El Salvador. Senior officials in Taiwan and El Salvador exchange visits frequently," Hou said.
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