MOFA embraces reinstatement of official name for trade mission to Fiji

2023/03/30

A decision to restore the official name to the Trade Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Republic of Fiji by Taiwan’s like-minded Pacific partner was welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 28.
 
The change took effect March 15, the MOFA said, adding that Taiwan diplomats attached to the office will again be accorded diplomatic privileges as regulated by Fiji’s Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1971.
 
According to the MOFA, the policy reversal came after Fiji’s national election last year, in which three parties formed a new coalition government. Due to pressure from China, the previous government had unilaterally removed the words “Republic of China (Taiwan)” from the name of the trade mission in 2018, the ministry added.
 
The MOFA said Fiji’s new administration recognizes Taiwan’s long-term contributions to improving the well-being of its people. Since the 1971 establishment of the trade office, Taiwan has worked closely with its Pacific neighbor in areas as diverse as agriculture, education, fishery, medical care and talent cultivation, the ministry said.
 
Fiji is one of Taiwan’s crucial partners in the Pacific, the MOFA said, adding that the government will continue to expand bilateral cooperation while jointly working toward democratic development and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “We appreciate the decision of @FijiGovernment to reinstate @FijiTaiwan’s official title & diplomatic privileges. #Taiwan looks forward to deepening bilateral ties with #Fiji while promoting peace, stability & prosperity across the #IndoPacifc.” 


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