Source: Taiwan Today
Mainland China must not interfere in Taiwan’s right to participate in international organizations if it wants cross-strait relations to continue improving, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Oct. 15.
“We urge Beijing to base its policies on pragmatic principles and pursue win-win outcomes for both sides of the strait,†the MOFA said. “Beijing must also respect Taiwan’s desire to take part in international affairs.â€
The MOFA statement was issued in response to recent media reports suggesting that Beijing tried to downgrade Taiwan’s status in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
“The IATTC is a government-level monitoring organization dealing with tuna fishing matters in the East Pacific Ocean,†the MOFA said. “We acquired full IATTC membership in the name of Chinese Taipei as a fishing entity in late August when mainland China also became a member.â€
The MOFA emphasized that Taiwan’s delegation was treated as well as other member states during the IATTC’s October meeting in Guatemala—in spite of an attempt by Beijing at the time to put the island’s name last on official document lists and to seat it behind other members.
Mainland China acted inappropriately when it demanded the IATTC forbid Taiwan from displaying the ROC national flag and playing the national anthem at the meeting, the MOFA said.