Malawi has ended weeks’ speculation when it announced today that it has severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established new ties with Mainland China.
Making the announcement at its Capitol Hill in Lilongwe Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda says it hopes to benefit much by engaging Mainland China into a diplomatic relation.
Banda read out a joint communique between governments of China and Malawi on establishement of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
For the past weeks, Government has been dismissing media reports that it intended to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing.
She said the Government of Malawi and China, in conformity with the interests and desire of the two peoples, have decided to recognise each other and establish diplomatic relations between the two countries at ambassadorial level as from December 28, 2007.
"The Government of Malawi and the Government of China agree to develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries under the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence," said Banda.
The communiqué also said the Government of the People’s Republic of China supports the Government of the Republic of Malawi in its efforts to safeguard its state sovereignty and develop its economy.
"The Government of the Republic of Malawi recognizes that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan in an inalienable part of China’s territory," it says.
The communiqué further said Governments Malawi and China agree, on the basis of reciprocity and in accordance with the relevant provisions in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to provide each other with all necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of functions of diplomatic missions in their respective capitals and to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible.
On Tuesday last week, Taiwan Foreign Affairs Minister James Huang told Taipei Times that relationship between Taiwan and Malawi was ‘at a sensitive and delicate stage’ and communication between the two countries had hit a snag.
Huang told a media conference in Taipei that while en-route to Malawi to resolve the matter, he was forced to make a last minute detour to Swaziland because Malawi informed him that that country’s President Bingu wa Mutharika could not meet him because he was on vacation.
He is also quoted as having said that Taiwan has left the decision of sustaining its diplomatic ties with Malawi to Bingu wa Mutharika.
Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Banda however, described Huang’s statement as speculation.
“It is surprising to hear something like that when in the first place they have never met or talked to him,” said Banda who further claimed that Taipei had not talked to her again despite promising to do so.
“I though what they should have done was to set their agenda and send an envoy to come and rearrange another meeting,” argued Banda in an interview with one of Malawi’s Sunday Papers.
There is reportedly a US$6 billion offer from Mainland China aimed at facilitating various projects in Malawi especially a waterway linking Malawi’s Shire River with Mozambique’s sea ports, a figure Huang described as fictional and astronomical.
He said Taiwan could not make a counter offer but hoped that a legacy of goodwill can convince Lilongwe not to switch allegiance to its giant neighbour.
“We will do our best to increase development aid,” Taiwan Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh had said.
Before Malawi’s decision to end their 43 year old long ties with Taiwan, Huang said he would be visiting Malawi whenever there would be a convenient opportunity.
“The nation needs to carry on with its efforts because Beijing will not stop its fight to limit Taiwan’s international space,” Huang told a News conference at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
The China Post reported that Malawi was expected to make a decision on the day that Taiwanese went to polls to elect a new legislative assembly on January 12 or on January 21 when Mutharika returns from vacation.
However, Malawi has made a decision two days after the elections and seven days before Mutharika returns from vacation.
Malawi’s opposition, which has a majority in its parliament, has been calling on Government to switch its diplomatic allegiance to Mainland China from Taiwan.
Leader of the Opposition John Tembo late last year argued that ‘China and India are fast becoming diplomatic superpowers and any well meaning government would go for them to gain maximum benefits.
“When I read my economics, it tells me that when choosing partners you take where you get maximum benefits,” Tembo said.
The Taiwanese Embassy in Malawi is yet to make a statement on Malawi’s decision.
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