February 6, 2024
Press Release No. 053
Following Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Martinez’s comments on economic and trade relations with China during a press interview, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Guatemala to make the “right decision” under the “one China principle.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) denounces this statement and solemnly reiterates that President of Guatemala Bernardo Arévalo has maintained a consistent stance in publicly expressing support for the diplomatic alliance with Taiwan on multiple occasions both before and after his election.
When Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu visited Guatemala to attend the presidential and vice presidential inauguration on January 14, President Arévalo personally pledged his firm commitment to upholding the diplomatic partnership between Taiwan and Guatemala and added that he was willing to continue to strengthen cooperation and forge a more robust bilateral friendship.
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent and sovereign country, that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other and that the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan. These are internationally recognized and objective facts and the status quo. Taiwan exercises its sovereignty when it conducts diplomatic relations with allies based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and reciprocity. No other country has the right to interfere.
China has never ceased in its attempts to suppress Taiwan’s international space and has spared no effort to undermine Taiwan’s sovereign status. It has acted with malign intent to disrupt Taiwan’s relations with diplomatic allies, deploying various tactics relentlessly to cause rifts and undermine solidarity between democratic countries. MOFA condemns these actions in the strongest terms.
MOFA solemnly urges the Chinese government to pay greater heed to the state of its own economy and people’s livelihoods, consider whether it has faithfully honored the countless promises it has made to other countries, and cause less disruption and create less trouble in the international community. (E)