Agreement with Taiwan cancelled, ‘One China Policy’ remains intact

Georgetown: One day after Taiwan announced the establishment of an investment office in Guyana, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that it has terminated the agreement.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, on Thursday met with Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Chen Xilai, during which they discussed areas of mutual interest and cooperation

The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry had tweeted that “the facility” in Georgetown represents the commitment of both sides to promoting a partnership of prosperity based on democratic values across areas like agriculture, education, investment and trade.”

However, the local Foreign Affair Ministry noted “The Government has not established any diplomatic ties or relations with Taiwan and as a result of the miscommunication of the agreement signed, this agreement has since been terminated.”

The government also reiterated that it continues to adhere to the One China policy and its diplomatic relations remain intact with the People’s Republic of China.

It was the United States Embassy in Georgetown that announced the establishment of a Taiwan office here and welcomed the move; Washington has long expressed growing concern about China’s deepening influence in the Caribbean and Latin America.

While there had been no formal announcement by the Foreign Ministry in Georgetown, Taiwan said it signed the agreement on January 11, 2021, and started operations on January 15.

Guyana formally established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China on June 27, 1972, under the leadership of former President, the Late Arthur Chung. This landmark arrangement would see Guyana becoming the very first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Over the last few decades, the two countries have enjoyed friendly and mutually beneficial ties that hinge on cultural connections dating back to colonial immigration. China is the motherland of an important fraction of our Guyanese ancestors. In recent years, Guyana has benefitted significantly from loans, and various outreaches from the Chinese Government.

The Guyana Government has assured the Guyanese population that it “continues to adhere to the One China policy and its diplomatic relations remain intact with the People’s Republic of China.”