Deputy Foreign Minister of Taiwan, Jose Maria Liu is expected this October after a visit in August 2017. Liu’s trip is meant to enhance bilateral cooperation, the source noted, as reported in Focus Taiwan.
The announcement of the visit was made by Taiwan Foreign Relations Minister David Lee who on 22 July had been in the Dominican Republic himself to strengthen relations. During that visit, he did not meet with Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas who at the time was abroad.
News sources in Taiwan report that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan has closely monitored their diplomatic ties with the Dominican Republic for “a long period of time.” The remark was made by a Taiwanese official in response to a warning that the Dominican Republic could be growing closer to Beijing, as published in Focus Taiwan.
At a legislative hearing, opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Chiang Chi-chen pointed to signs suggesting the possibility that the Dominican Republic could switch its allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.
He noted that Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the United Nations General Assembly this September 2017 and that Vargas did not voice support for Taiwan during the just concluded UN general assembly.
In response, Foreign Minister David Lee who fielded questions during the hearing, said the ministry has been closely watching the ally for a long time.
Lee also said that he visited the Dominican Republic in July and Vice Foreign Minister Jose Maria Liu went there in August, and added that Liu is headed there again “right now” to strengthen ties.
During Lee’s trip in July, however, he did not meet with Vargas. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry explained at the time that Vargas was on an overseas trip and had his deputy welcome Lee instead.
Also, Vargas met with Wang in September because the Dominican Republic is trying to secure a non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council in the future and was allegedly soliciting China’s support.
Read more:
Focus Taiwan
Listin Diario
19 October 2017
