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Guatemala urged to ditch Taiwan after presidential race is won by candidate who called for stronger trade ties with mainland China
- Bernardo Arevalo, who was elected on an anti-corruption platform, has said he does not want to cut ties with Taipei, but does want more trade with mainland
- The Chinese foreign ministry says switching recognition to Beijing would be ‘in line with the fundamental interests of Guatemala’
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Vanessa Caiin Shanghai
Guatemala can best serve its own interests by switching recognition from Taipei to Beijing, China’s foreign ministry said on Monday after the presidential victory of a candidate who has previously said he favours closer commercial ties with mainland China.
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But Bernardo Arevalo, who was elected on an anti-corruption ticket on Sunday in a result that came as a shock to many observers, has previously said he has no plans to ditch Taiwan.
Taiwan on Monday congratulated Arevalo, a 64-year-old former diplomat for his victory.
Guatemala, together with Belize, are the only two Central American countries, out of just 13 worldwide, that recognise Taipei instead of Beijing.
Taiwan has lost nine diplomatic allies since 2016, with Honduras being the latest Central American country to switch allegiance in March.
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Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin declined to comment on Arevalo’s victory on Monday but said that people in Guatemala had recently expressed hopes of establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing, and such a move “is in line with the fundamental interests of Guatemala and the voice of its people”.
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