Island nation recognizes ‘One China’
Print Edition
CHINA resumed diplomatic relations with Sao Tome and Principe yesterday, after the African nation cut “diplomatic ties” with the Taiwan region last week.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Sao Tome and Principe counterpart Urbino Botelho held talks in Beijing, and signed a joint communique on resuming diplomatic relations.
The island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, a former Portuguese colony, established diplomatic relations with China after it gained independence in 1975 but switched to the Taiwan region in 1997.
“The ‘One China’ principle is a consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations,” Wang said. “China believes Sao Tome and Principe will stick to the ‘One China’ policy with practical action and support China’s peaceful reunification.”
China suggested both countries work to enhance political trust and friendship, as well as cooperation in agriculture, fishery and tourism.
Wang said China was looking to cooperate with the island nation within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Botelho said Sao Tome and Principe will make up for its previous mistakes and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
It recognizes China’s international influence and role in protecting the interests of developing countries, and support for its own and other African countries’ struggle for independence, as well as welcoming Chinese investors and tourists to help with its national development and industrialization, Botelho said.
The Sao Tome and Principe government promises it will have no official relations with Taiwan. Instead, it acknowledges there is only one China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the communique said.
Both sides agreed to send ambassadors as soon as possible and start the process of establishing embassies, it added.
At a joint press conference after his meeting with Botelho, Wang said: “We are delighted to see that the Sao Tome and Principe government follows historical trends and makes the correct decision to come back to the ‘One China’ principle.”
“The ‘One China’ principle is the foundation of bilateral relations and both sides should understand and support each other on issues related to their core interests or major concerns,” he said.
“The restoration of diplomatic relations gives China a new friend in the international community, while Sao Tome and Principe will get all-round support and assistance from a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world’s largest developing country,” he added.
The move will also add new vitality to cooperation between China and Africa, Wang said.
Also yesterday, Vice President Li Yuanchao met Botelho, saying that the restoration of diplomatic relations is in line with the fundamental interests of both countries.
Li said China highly appreciates the Sao Tome and Principe government’s return to the right track of the “One China” principle.
China will take the restoration of diplomatic ties as a new start to deepen political mutual trust and conduct all-round cooperation.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
