Taiwan condemns China, Nicaragua over Central American body removal
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Taiwan voices disapproval over its removal from the Central American Parliament, following a proposal by Nicaragua.
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Two soldiers fold the national flag during the daily flag ceremony on the Liberty Square of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, July 30, 2022. (AP)
Taiwan criticized Nicaragua and China on Tuesday after it was removed from the Central American Parliament and its observer status was given to Beijing.
The Central American Parliament (Parlacen), a regional body comprising six member states, voted to replace Taiwan's permanent observer status with China following a proposal by Nicaragua.
Taiwan's foreign ministry issued a statement on Tuesday stating that Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega government was willing to align with China to further its interests and "manipulate the concept of the "one-China principle," thereby infringing on Taiwan's rights within Parlacen."
Taiwan's removal from Parlacen is seen as "evidence of growing authoritarianism in Latin America," according to Jeff Liu, a spokesperson for Taiwan's foreign ministry. He characterized China and Nicaragua as alleged "authoritarian states" and described the decision as "an attack not only on Taiwan but also on democratic nations worldwide."
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In response, Taiwan's foreign ministry announced its "withdrawal" from Parlacen to safeguard the island's sovereignty and dignity. However, this removal will not impact Taiwan's involvement in the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Central American Integration System.
The decision to remove Taiwan from Parlacen comes shortly after Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te visited Paraguay, which included stopovers in the United States, causing displeasure in Beijing.
On that note, China has repeatedly voiced its concerns over other countries' official exchanges with Taiwan. This isn't the first time Taiwanese leaders have provoked China by making stopovers in the United States.
Lai is a candidate for the Taiwanese Presidency, as the elections are scheduled to be held next year, which could give a political dimension to this trip and the transit stops in question.
The tensions surrounding Taiwan experienced a significant spike last August when then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defied Beijing's warnings and traveled to Taipei. China condemned Pelosi's visit, interpreting it as an endorsement of separatism, and in response, launched large-scale military exercises near the island.
