Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 22, 2008 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says his government has no intention of severing diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan in favour of mainland China.
“We took an informed position that we would prefer to support Taiwan because Taiwan at the moment can bring the greater support in the advancing of the economic, social and political development of the people, that is what we pursue in our foreign policy,” Prime Minister Douglas told reporters during the recent OECS Heads of Government Meeting in Roseau, Dominica.
The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) is reporting the St. Kitts and Nevis leader as saying that the twin-island Federation was interested in the further development of its citizens and that Taiwan best reflect that policy.
“We have no problem at the moment with Taiwan. When we got independence in 1983, Taiwan was one of the first countries that established diplomatic relations with us. We have not had any reason to change that diplomatic relationship,” he said.
Dr. Douglas admitted however that, “we continue to review our position from time to time because of the changing geopolitical circumstances.”
Prime Minister Douglas acknowledged also that China was playing a role in the development of the region and said he had no problems with countries like Dominica having diplomatic relations with Beijing.
“The diversity of opinions in within CARICOM to a large extend lends to the continued development of the region,” Dr. Douglas said
St. Kitts and Nevis is among a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that continue to have diplomatic relations with Taipei instead of China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province.