Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) said yesterday that relations with Panama remained stable, amid speculation that Panama would follow Malawi and recognize China.
"It seems the relationship with Panama is good," Huang said.
Panama, which has close business relations with China, has long been rumored to be considering the switch. Last month, Huang traveled to Panama, the Dominican Republic and Haiti to strengthen diplomatic ties.
PHOTO: AFP
The Panamanian government said that bilateral relations remained solid while business relations with China would remain normal.
Huang, who is traveling with President Chen Shui-bian (
During an interview with the Associated Press in Guatemala, Chen said he did not oppose Taiwanese allies establishing trade offices in China.
Chen said he was confident Taiwan's 23 remaining diplomatic allies would not switch recognition to China and that diplomatic relations would not be affected if they opened trade offices in Beijing while maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
"You don't need an embassy to do business in China," he said. "All you need is a trade office."
In Taipei, Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu said she was not targeting any particular individual, but that it would make sense for somebody to be held responsible.
Lu made the remarks during an interview with TVBS on Monday night.
Taiwan has lost three diplomatic allies -- Chad, Costa Rica and Malawi -- during Huang's term.
Meanwhile, Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (
He said he decided against it, however, because he did not want his resignation to attract media attention and that the matter would "clear itself up" after he returned from the trip.
During an interview with Sanlih Television on Sunday night, Lu said it would be a good idea to adjust the Cabinet lineup and replace some "controversial" officials, without naming names.
Some media outlets have speculated that Lu was referring to Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝), the ministry's secretary-general, Chuang Kuo-jung (莊國榮) as well as Minister Shieh.
Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yang Chiu-hsing (楊秋興) said on Monday that Tu and Shieh should be held partly responsible for the election defeat.
UPDATED (3:40pm): A suspected gas explosion at a shopping mall in Taichung this morning has killed four people and injured 20 others, as emergency responders continue to investigate. The explosion occurred on the 12th floor of the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Situn District (西屯) at 11:33am. One person was declared dead at the scene, while three people were declared deceased later after receiving emergency treatment. Another 20 people sustained major or minor injuries. The Taichung Fire Bureau said it received a report of the explosion at 11:33am and sent rescuers to respond. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, it said. The National Fire
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