Beijing tells Guatemala to break ties with Taiwan as soon as possible if it wants trading relationship
- The central American country’s foreign minister has said it hopes to develop a commercial relationship with mainland China
- However, Beijing insists countries must accept the one-China principle and urged Guatemala to ‘make the right decision as soon as possible’
The central American country, one of a handful countries that still has official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, is reportedly looking to develop a trading relationship with mainland China while keeping relations with Taipei.
But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the one-China principle – which acknowledges Taiwan as part of China – is the fundamental basis for relations. Beijing asks all countries to choose between Beijing and Taipei under that principle.
Wang said that there are 183 countries in the world that have established diplomatic relations with Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of China and has not renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.
“We hope that the new government of Guatemala will follow the historical and current trends and make the right decision in the fundamental and long-term interests of the state and people of Guatemala as soon as possible,” Wang told a press conference.
