The federal government of Nigeria yesterday announced that Nigeria will be severing its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and that the Taiwanese diplomatic office in Abuja should be relocated to Lagos where it will now serve as a Trade mission.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who disclosed
this at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, said this became necessary
following the Federal government's decision to pledge support for ‘One China’.
According to Onyeama, Taiwan is not a country that is
recognized under international law as it is just a small island nation 180km
east of China. According to him, having any diplomatic ties with Taiwan as
against China which is the country, is against international law and practice.
Moreso the One China police been supported by the Federal
government stipulates that any government that would want to seek relations
with the People Republic of China must severe its relationship with the
Republic of China also known as Taiwan.
“Taiwan will stop enjoying any privileges because it is not a
country that is recognized under international law and under the position we
have taken internationally, we recognize the people of China. Taiwan will not
have any diplomatic representation in Nigeria and also they will be moving out
of Abuja to Lagos to the extent that they function as a trade mission with a
skeletal staff. Chinese government does not oppose trading with Taiwan as such
as long there is no formal contact with the government that will suggest
recognition of Taiwan as sovereign country” he said
He said Nigeria was not forced to take the decision, adding
that the country recognized the People’s Republic of China as a country because
Nigeria was one of the leading African nations that fought for China to reclaim
its seat at the UN Security Council from Taiwan.
No comments:
Post a Comment