An official from Sao Tome and Principe, an allied nation in Africa, has arrived in Taiwan. The visit came soon after a visit to China by Sao Tome President Manuel Pinto da Costa. That visit aroused speculation that the African nation was considering severing ties with Taiwan, in favor of ties with China.
Sao Tome and Principe is one of only about two dozen nations that recognize the Republic of China, which is the official name of Taiwan, instead of the People’s Republic of China.
The foreign ministry in Taipei issued a statement on June 6 expressing concern about the Sao Tomean president’s China visit. The statement also noted that in a letter dated June 4, Pinto da Costa told President Ma Ying-jeou that the visit was in a private capacity, with the purpose of soliciting investment.
The chief secretary of the Sao Tome presidential office, Amaro Couto, met with officials from Taiwan’s foreign ministry on Monday for a briefing on Pinto da Costa’s visit to China.
The foreign ministry’s David Wang said that although Taiwan is not happy about Pinto’s visit to China, it’s understood that the trip was in a private capacity, with the purpose of soliciting investment.
“President Pinto da Costa told us about his China trip in advance," said Wang. "Now he has also sent his chief secretary to brief us. He knows that bilateral ties are important to their government and people. But their ambassador also explained that as a small country, they really need foreign investment.”
Wang also said that Pinto has promised to visit Taiwan and continue to recognize Taiwan.
Couto is schedule to visit Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum before returning to Sao Tome on June 18th.