Govt’ scraps Taiwan Office agreement, says One China policy remains intact

Feb 05, 2021 News

Kaieteur News – Mere hours after Taiwan announced plans to initiate an investment office in Guyana, drawing questions over adherence to the One China Policy, the Government of Guyana terminated the contract.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation outlined that the sudden termination was due to an apparent “miscommunication.”
“The Government of Guyana has noted various media releases on the matter of a Taiwan Office in Guyana. The Government has not established any diplomatic ties or relations with Taiwan and as a result of the miscommunication of the agreement signed, this agreement has since been terminated,” the statement noted.
Government was keen to note as well, that it continues to adhere to the One China policy and that diplomatic relations remains intact with the People’s Republic of China.
However, the sudden turn of events garnered much criticism from the political opposition.
Shortly after government’s announcement, the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition issued a statement stating that government’s decision to enter the agreement and then quickly renege on it after facing international pressure “underscores the PPP’s unlearned, irresponsible and perilous approach to Guyana’s foreign policy.”
“The damage however has been done. Decades old strong relations between Guyana and China have become strained in under 6 months of the PPP regime’s installation in office,” the Opposition outlined.
Continuing, the Opposition said that it will take years and “considerable diplomatic and other scarce resources” to rebuild trust with the Chinese after this “gigantic diplomatic blunder.”
Further, the Opposition asserted that Guyana’s foreign policy must continue to be founded on the basis of mutual respect and understanding, non-interference, multilateralism and strong relations with all states and then called on government to abandon its “ill-advised isolationist foreign policy.”
It was the US Embassy and not the government who first broke the news of Guyana’s arrangement with Taiwan reportedly signed since January 11.
“Deepening ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security. Closer ties with Taiwan will advance cooperation and development in Guyana on the basis of shared democratic values, transparency, and mutual respect,” the Embassy said in a statement on Thursday.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry also tweeted about the deal.
“A #Taiwan Office is established in #Guyana! The facility represents the commitment of both sides to promoting a partnership of prosperity based on democratic values across areas like agriculture, education, investment & trade. We thank @mfaguyanafor its friendship & support,” the tweet said.
However, official confirmation later emerged from Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd who explained that it was a trade and investment office being set up to facilitate private investor trade.
It should be noted that that confirmation did not come from an official statement from the Ministry, rather from comments the Minister made.

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