Executive Yuan Spokesperson Kolas Yotaka on Tuesday said that the severing of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and El Salvador offers clear evidence that China has not abandoned its ill-considered campaign of creeping suppression against Taiwan, with the intention of undermining the nation's sovereignty and democratic freedoms.
Such violations not only sabotage peace across the Taiwan Strait, but also disrupt the established international order, and cross the collective bounds set out by the people of Taiwan. The Executive Yuan called for unity at home, and urged the international community to take seriously China's assault on freedom and democracy.
In June of this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began to perceive the intent of El Salvador's foreign minister to travel to China for negotiations on establishing diplomatic ties, said Spokesperson Kolas. Taiwan responded immediately by sending a special envoy for talks with El Salvador.
This was followed last month with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu to assess the situation and communicate with El Salvador's president, vice president, foreign minister and other government officials. Even during President Tsai Ing-wen's state visits to South and Central American allies earlier this month, Minister Wu took time while in Paraguay to consult with El Salvador's deputy foreign minister. Regrettably, El Salvador could not be swayed in spite of Taiwan's considerable efforts, as a result of China's resorting to "money competition" to lure away the diplomatic ally. The government of Taiwan is not willing to engage on such terms.
China's pressure has never ceased, but Taiwan is a democratic and free nation, Spokesperson Kolas said, noting that the greater the pressure, the more unified will be the country; and the greater the suppression, the stronger will be the people of Taiwan. She called on the citizens of Taiwan to stand together and continue to build the nation. Pressure from China will only lead Taiwan to stride ever more resolutely down the path of freedom, democracy and national sovereignty.