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US-Taiwan relations solid: Huang

"There have been rumors that China has offered a US$6 billion financial package in exchange for Malawi's recognition. We could never afford to compete ... What we offer, however, is trust, dependability and unwavering friendship."

James Huang, minister of foreign affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) told the ministry's year-end press conference yesterday that the nation's relations with the US are solid and friendly, while China remains Taiwan's biggest diplomatic obstacle.

"Beijing will never give up its efforts to crush Taiwan at any cost," said Huang, responding to speculation that Beijing could ease its rhetoric against Taiwan ahead of elections to avoid drumming up sympathy for the Democratic Progressive Party.

Huang said Beijing would most likely step up its efforts to oppress Taiwan over the next few months and urged all ministry staffers to watch for Beijing's tricks.

Huang reiterated that the nation would not compete with China in a "dollar diplomacy" race to buy allies because it had no reason to engage in an impossible battle.

"There have been rumors that China has offered a US$6 billion financial package in exchange for Malawi's recognition. We could never afford to compete with such an amount. What we offer, however, is trust, dependability and unwavering friendship," he said, adding that the ministry was closely monitoring the situation in the African country.

Huang said that Taiwan-US ties remain "solid, stable, close and friendly," in spite of Washington's vocal opposition to Taiwan's planned referendum on joining the UN under the name "Taiwan."

"In the past seven and half years, the Taiwan-US relationship has been a roller coaster," he admitted, but stressed Taiwan had not made any "provocative" moves to unilaterally change the "status quo" as it is understood by Washington.

Anything Taiwan does to push along its democratic development will be labeled by its "foe" China as a "provocative maneuver towards de jure independence," Huang said.

Huang said that, in the past few years, the nation had amply demonstrated its wisdom and strength in making progress at home without shedding a drop of blood.

The US and other international players should have confidence in the nation's ability to do its bit to maintain cross-strait peace, he said.

Huang said that although this year had been a "worrisome and difficult" year for the ministry -- marred by Costa Rica's sudden switch of allegiance to China in June -- it was also a year for the ministry to explore new ways of engaging in diplomacy.

Under the leadership of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), he said, Taiwan made a historic attempt to bid for WHO and UN membership under the name "Taiwan."

Although both bids were rejected, they were nevertheless milestones in Taiwanese history, he said.

Another ministry accomplishment this year, Huang said, was the restoration of ties with St Lucia in April.

In the future, Taiwan will strive to contribute more to fighting global warming by helping its allies to develop alternative energy and solar power technology, he said.
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