Securing diversified energy supply sources for Taiwan is an integral part of the Republic of China's diplomatic strategy, Foreign Affairs Minister Mark Chen (陳唐山) said in Ndjamena, the Chadian capital, yesterday.
In the face of China's global oil-shopping spree, Chen said, the Taiwan National Security Council has also adjusted Taiwan's security strategy to strengthen energy-acquisition efforts and instructed that Taiwan's oil-tapping arm should reach as far as Africa.
Chen, who arrived in the North African country for a two-day official visit on Tuesday, said that the Chadian government has signed a letter of intent with Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC) to jointly prospect for oil in Chad, which is rich in petroleum reserves, particularly in the regions of Sedigui and Doba.
PHOTO: WANG PING-YU, TAIPEI TIMES
He expressed the hope that the Chadian government and the CPC will soon strike an agreement on contract details, including commercial terms, to accelerate their cooperation in oil exploration.
Chen said that his ministry is well-informed of China's maneuvering and will make every possible effort to realize various cooperative projects with Chad, including oil exploration.
He added that the last thing he would like to see is China stealing away another of Taiwan's diplomatic allies under the guise of oil-exploration cooperation.
According to Chen, China has already secured exploration rights in the H-Area Oilfield, one of the most potentially lucrative oil fields in Chad, via partnership with a Canadian company.
Chen said that Chadian President Idriss Deby, who has been very friendly toward Taiwan, is currently "racing his thoughts" to see whether a part of the H-Area Oilfield can be allocated to the CPC for exploration.
"I'm here to tap into this possibility," Chen said.
Taiwan and Chad have maintained close and cordial bilateral ties since the two countries resumed formal diplomatic relations on Aug. 12, 1997. President Deby has been instrumental in developing the friendship.
In October last year, Chen and his Chadian counterpart, Nagoum Yamassoum, signed a communique in Taipei announcing that the two countries would collaborate in oil exploration in Chad.
Prior to his arrival in Chad, Chen paid a four-day official visit to the West African country of Burkina Faso.
While in Chad, Chen is expected to host ceremonies marking the donation of office equipment to Chad's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and medical supplies to the Freedom Hospital. He will also visit Unity Bridge and Taiwan Boulevard, both of which are the result of cooperation projects undertaken between Taiwan and Chad.
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