MOFA condemns China for bullying Arab Times into deleting Foreign Minister...

2021/08/04

China’s bullying of the Arab Times into deleting an exclusive interview with Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu is roundly condemned, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aug. 3.
 
Published Aug.1 by the Kuwait-based English language daily, the virtual sit-down with Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Anjeri—founder and CEO of locally headquartered think tank Reconnaissance Research—offered an in-depth take on Taiwan’s presence in the Arab world and its commitment to promoting peace, mutual understanding and trust.
 
It is extremely regrettable that the interview was pulled down and a statement published Aug. 3 by China’s embassy in Kuwait titled “There is only one China in the World and Taiwan is an Inalienable Part of China’s Territory,” the MOFA said. Beijing’s infringement upon sovereign countries’ press freedoms as part of ongoing efforts to silence Taiwan in the international arena is wrong and unacceptable, the ministry added.
 
Taiwan has never been under the jurisdiction of China, the MOFA said, adding that Beijing’s latest move fully exposes the oppressive nature of its authoritarian regime and will only invoke aversion and disgust among the people of Taiwan.
 
Wu said in the interview that Taiwan faces increasing pressure from China through ramped-up disinformation and military intimidation. Despite this ongoing campaign of coercion, the government remains resolute in its commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he added.
 
Citing the EU-U.S. Summit Statement, Carbis Bay G-7 Communique and remarks by the leaders of Australia, Japan and South Korea following recent international dialogues, Wu said the international community is realizing China’s authoritarian expansionism poses serious challenges to rules-based international order, as well as security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
 
Taiwan places great importance on its relations with the Middle East, Wu said. Despite the lack of formal relations, the government hopes to enhance comprehensive exchanges and two-way business and technological cooperation with countries such as Kuwait so as to advance progress on realizing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, he added.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Read Minister Wu’s wide-ranging interview with @Abdulaziz_anjri of @ReconnResearch via @arabtimeskuwait. Learn more about #Taiwan-#Kuwait ties, the country’s main focus in the #Arab world & its willingness to share experiences, knowledge & skills.”


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