The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China solemnly states that it is terminating diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica as of today. The government of the Republic of China expresses its strong discontent and regret that the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has been lured, through threats and inducements, into establishing diplomatic relations with the PRC. It is our position that the government of Dominica shall bear all responsibility and consequences that follow as a result of its betrayal of its 21-year friendship with the Republic of China. In order to safeguard our national dignity and interests, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to terminate all our agreements and cooperative projects with the Commonwealth of Dominica, close our embassy in that country, suspend all financial aid, and recall all members of our technical mission to Dominica.
The Republic of China and the Commonwealth of Dominica established diplomatic relations on May 10, 1983. Over the past 21 years, the Republic of China has actively assisted Dominica in various constructive projects, all closely related to that country’s well-being and national development. Since 1985, a five-member technical mission has been stationed in Dominica to assist that country with its agricultural and technical development, as well as its aquaculture industry. The various projects undertaken by that mission contributed greatly to the well-being of the people of Dominica, and fully demonstrated the strength of our friendship with them. Over the years, such efforts won gratitude from the people and every previous government of Dominica.
However, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s has requested large amounts of financial aid from Taiwan on a number of occasions ever since assuming office on January 8 this year. Being young and harbouring unrealistic illusions about the PRC, he decided to yield to temptations from the PRC and switch diplomatic recognition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to terminate the ROC’s diplomatic relations with Dominica to protect our national interests and dignity, only after having made every effort to dissuade Dominica from its actions as soon as we learnt of the government of Dominica’s contacts with the PRC. The government of the Republic of China strongly protests against and condemns the PRC for trying to stifle our space in the international community through “cheque-book diplomacy” at a time when a presidential election was taking place in Taiwan.
The goal of the Republic of China’s foreign policy is to protect our national sovereignty and dignity, and to maintain regional peace and security. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs solemnly announces that the ROC will never accept our allies adopting an attitude or taking actions that entail profiting by wavering from one side of the Taiwan Strait to the other. Nor will we compete with the PRC in so-called “cheque-book diplomacy.” The Republic of China maintains cooperative projects with its allies based on a spirit of reciprocity, and in the interests of mutual prosperity. Even in the face of relentless pressure from the PRC, the Republic of China will continue to move forward under existing policies and goals with a firm determination and practical attitude. We will continue to strengthen our participation in the international community, and safeguard the welfare, rights and interests of all our people.
