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TAIPEI: Taiwan on Thursday vowed to take legal action against former ally Nicaragua for “seizing” its embassy and making plans to transfer it to China after the Central American country switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. According to Taiwan’s foreign ministry, the Nicaraguan government “seized” its former embassy property that was already sold to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Managua.
Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega’s government broke off relations with Taiwan this month, saying it would recognise only the mainland government. Before departing, Taiwanese diplomats attempted to donate the properties to the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Managua. But Ortega’s government said on Sunday that any such donation would be invalid and that the building in an upscale Managua neighborhood belongs to China. “There is only one China,” the Nicaraguan government said in a statement announcing the change. “The People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.” Taiwan’s foreign relations ministry had condemned the “gravely illegal actions of the Ortega regime,” saying the Nicaraguan government had violated standard procedures by giving Taiwanese diplomats just two weeks to get out of the country.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has stepped up pressure to isolate the island internationally and Nicaragua’s switch left Taipei with only 14 diplomatic allies globally. It was the eighth country to ditch Taipei for Beijing since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 as tensions between the two sides continue to grow. China is against Taiwan representing itself in global forums or in diplomacy.
Taipei condemned the Ortega government for its plan to transfer the property to Beijing, which has called the move “an act of justice”. “Taiwan will pursue appropriate international legal proceedings to protect its diplomatic property and ensure that Nicaragua is held accountable for its internationally wrongful act,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that the seizure “is part of China’s explicit and aggressive intent to annex Taiwan, which seriously contravenes international norms and damages regional peace and stability.” China vows to bring Taiwan back into its fold one day.
Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega’s government broke off relations with Taiwan this month, saying it would recognise only the mainland government. Before departing, Taiwanese diplomats attempted to donate the properties to the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Managua. But Ortega’s government said on Sunday that any such donation would be invalid and that the building in an upscale Managua neighborhood belongs to China. “There is only one China,” the Nicaraguan government said in a statement announcing the change. “The People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.” Taiwan’s foreign relations ministry had condemned the “gravely illegal actions of the Ortega regime,” saying the Nicaraguan government had violated standard procedures by giving Taiwanese diplomats just two weeks to get out of the country.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has stepped up pressure to isolate the island internationally and Nicaragua’s switch left Taipei with only 14 diplomatic allies globally. It was the eighth country to ditch Taipei for Beijing since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 as tensions between the two sides continue to grow. China is against Taiwan representing itself in global forums or in diplomacy.
Taipei condemned the Ortega government for its plan to transfer the property to Beijing, which has called the move “an act of justice”. “Taiwan will pursue appropriate international legal proceedings to protect its diplomatic property and ensure that Nicaragua is held accountable for its internationally wrongful act,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that the seizure “is part of China’s explicit and aggressive intent to annex Taiwan, which seriously contravenes international norms and damages regional peace and stability.” China vows to bring Taiwan back into its fold one day.
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