The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday issued a stern protest against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s remarks about Taiwan earlier last month, calling them “derogatory” and a reflection of Ortega’s “low moral conscience.”
While the statement did not publish Ortega’s full remarks nor elaborate on what they were, videos on social media show him speaking at an event during which he said in Spanish that Taiwanese are “Chinese,” adding that Taiwan is “garbage.”
It is deeply regrettable that Ortega, despite having received Taiwan’s support for its social and economic development before Nicaragua and Taiwan cut diplomatic ties, is now kowtowing to China and changing his attitude from arrogance to servility, the ministry said, adding that the remarks undermined Taiwan’s sovereignty and image.
Photo: CNA
“Ortega’s inappropriate remarks only serve to highlight the decline of his moral conscience,” it said.
“The Republic of China, Taiwan is an independent, sovereign country, and it and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are not subordinate to each other,” the statement said.
The Chinese Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan, which is the objective “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait and a fact commonly recognized by international society, it said.
“We urge Ortega to stop blindly following China,” the ministry said. “Taiwan, a globally trusted cooperative partner, will continue to uphold the spirit of integrated diplomacy and deepen its relationship with fellow democracies around the world.”
Radio La Primerisima reported that Ortega at a ceremony on Feb. 16 thanked China for its latest delivery of 180 Chinese Yutong minibuses and was quoted as asking Chinese Ambassador to Nicaragua Qu Yuhui (瞿瑜輝) to “convey to [Chinese] President Xi Jinping [習近平] and the heroic people of the People’s Republic of China, our affection, our gratitude for unconditional generosity, without any conditions. That should be the behavior of humanity, that we treat each other as brothers.”
In 1985, Ortega’s government ended 55 years of formal relations with Taiwan and switched recognition to China.
Nicaragua officially resumed ties with Taiwan in November 1990, shortly after Violeta Barrios de Chamorro became president.
However, in December 2021, the Nicaraguan government led by Ortega re-established relations with the PRC, recognizing its “one China” policy and severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan again.
Before severing ties for the second time, Taiwan had provided significant economic support for infrastructure, agriculture and social programs.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS