HareemSania
Foreign Minister Tuvalu said the island nation rejected a proposal to build artificial islands from Chinese companies to help cope with rising sea levels.
Several Chinese companies have recently approached the local communities of Tuvalu, an island nation in the southern Pacific, offering support for the government's $ 400 million artificial island project, the foreign minister. Tuvalu Simon Kofe said on November 21 in an interview in Taipei on the island of Taiwan.
Foreign Minister Tuvalu Simon Kofe gave an interview in Taipei on November 21 Photo: Reuters
However, Kofe believes that these companies are backed by the Chinese government. "Our answer is no. We have heard a lot about the debt. China is buying our island with the goal of setting up military bases. That worries us." Foreign Minister Tuvalu explained.
"We hope other countries recognize the lesson, thereby being cautious and aware of the negative impact. They are not good for Pacific nations," Kofe added.
China has recently increased its influence in the South Pacific, prompting the United States and its allies such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand, countries that have been present in the region since World War II, to raise awareness.
Tuvalu's decision is also considered a clear support for Taiwan. "The relationship between Tuvalu and Taiwan is stronger than ever. Collaborating with partners will help us be able to resist the influence of mainland China," Kofe said of the Marshall Islands, Palau. and Nauru, the Pacific island nations still maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Tuvalu expressed support for Taiwan just two months after Kiribati and the Solomon Islands gave up on the island and established diplomatic relations with Beijing, leaving Taiwan with only diplomatic relations with the island. country in the world. Taipei claimed that Beijing had "lured" countries to cut ties with the island with the promise of investment and aid.
China has always considered Taiwan a part of its territory waiting for reunification and the island does not have the right to establish diplomatic relations with any country. Cross-strait relations have been strained since Thai Anh Van, who opposed the "One China" policy, became the leader of Taiwan.
