MOFA sets facts straight on National Day incident in Fiji

2020/10/21

The actions of Chinese embassy officials attempting to disrupt a National Day reception in Fiji and injuring a Taiwan diplomat in the process are condemned in the strongest possible terms, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 19.
 
 Like any other sovereign and independent country, Taiwan’s embassies and overseas representative offices stage celebratory activities marking the nation’s birthday, the MOFA said. Such behavior by the Chinese officials violates international law and is an affront to civilized norms, the ministry added.
 
 According to the MOFA, the diplomat with the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji suffered a minor concussion after being pushed by Chinese officials. The individual was later discharged from hospital with no serious injury, the ministry said, adding that it appreciates the outpouring of care and concern from all segments of society.

 The MOFA said the incident was immediately reported to the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Police Force, with the office’s account of events corroborated by witness statements and evidence.
 
 This open and transparent treatment of the incident differs from the approach adopted by China’s embassy in Fiji, the ministry said. Attempts have been made to obfuscate the facts and mislead the international community, the MOFA added.
 
 In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said “We strongly condemn the violence against our diplomat in #Fiji by #China’s uncivilized ‘wolf warriors.’ As a sovereign state, we’ll continue celebrating #TaiwanNationalDay everywhere, every year. #Taiwan is a force for good in the world & we won’t be intimidated. JW.”
 
The ministry said the office’s diplomats in Fiji are undeterred by the incident, and will continue serving on the diplomatic front line in advancing the interests of the country and the people. No effort is to be spared in safeguarding the dignity and safety of all personnel stationed abroad, the MOFA added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)