A proposal of the People’s Republic of China to install a 300 megawatt power plant to sell power to the DR shortly prior to the visit of President of Taiwan Chen Sui Bian for the swearing-in ceremonies of President-elect Hipólito Mejía has raised a new controversy. A delegation from continental China visited, head by engineer Wong Yim Kan, president of the Fai Pang Holding Group Ltd. to offer the installation of the plant that could be operational in a year. The group met with President-elect Hipolito Mejia who appointed a commission to visit China to look into the offer. The commission would be head by Senator Enrique Lopez (PRD-Monseñor Nouel) and engineer Cesar Sánchez (appointed new administrator of the state electricity utility). Continental China would like to dissuade the DR from its traditional strong support of Taiwan. This has moved to speculation that Taiwan investors could present a better offer. Dominican Ambassador in Taiwan, Victor Sanchez said that the DR risks losing RD$1,000 million in Taiwan investments if the government accepts the offer to install the continental China plant. He highlighted the traditional mutual support of the DR and Taiwan governments. Furthermore, a EFE wire service release quotes the President of Taiwan saying he is not interested in buying the support of the Dominican Republic.
