Guyana foreign policy in shambles

…AFC says as govt terminates agreement with Taiwan

In a twist of events, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Government of Guyana has severed its agreement with Taiwan, indicating that there was some form of miscommunication that it recognizes the breakaway province as independent of China.

According to the Government, it maintains good relations with China and is in support of the One-China policy.

The press release posted to the Ministry’s page on Thursday stated: “The Government of Guyana has noted various media release on the matter of a Taiwan Office in Guyana. The Government of Guyana wishes to clarify that it continues to adhere to the One China policy and its diplomatic relations remain intact with the People’s Republic of China. The Government has not established any diplomatic ties or relations with Taiwan and as a result of the miscommunication of the agreement signed, this agreement has since been terminated.”

The announcement comes as a twist as on Wednesday, the United States applauded Guyana for its agreement to recognise Taiwan, thereby moving away from its decades-old policy of embracing the One-China policy.

In a statement the US Embassy in Guyana said that Taiwan will establish a Taiwan Office in Guyana.  “The United States applauds the agreement to establish a Taiwan Office in Guyana. Deepening ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security.  Closer ties with Taiwan will advance cooperation and development in Guyana on the basis of shared democratic values, transparency, and mutual respect,” the congratulatory message read.

It was through this message that the media became aware that there were plans or an alleged decision by the Government to move in this direction. Observers said the move by Guyana — now terminated — would have certainly irked Beijing given that it has poured billions in aid to Guyana over the years.

Only days prior, President Ali had stated during an address to the nation that the Government of Guyana was having productive discussions with the Governments of India, China and Russia. He disclosed that China has already pledged 20,000 doses of vaccines for Guyana.

Added to this, just six days ago, China warned Taiwan that any attempt to gain independence would result in “war” – a warning that was preceded by increased military activities by China that saw warplanes flying near the island.

It is known that China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has vowed to retake by force if necessary. However, Taiwan’s leaders argue that the island is a sovereign state. The US has supported Taiwan in the past by supplying defensive weapons to protect against Beijing’s assertions.

In maintaining its cordial relations with China, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elizabeth Harper has also told the media that Guyana has not recognised Taiwan as a separate sta

Meanwhile, the  Alliance For Change (AFC) said it is concerned over what is clearly a lack of vision and direction on Guyana’s foreign policy and apparent shift away from positions this country would have adopted and articulated at international fora including the UN General Assembly.

“Like the rest of the Guyanese public, the AFC was made aware that Guyana under the PPP had entered into an agreement with Taiwan to set up an office here. Little is known of this agreement and how it interplays with our long held “One China” policy.

There was no Parliamentary discussion or engagement with the majority Opposition on this seeming new foreign policy. In fact, the Alliance For Change learnt of the PPP’s action through the local and international media.”

The AFC fuetger stated that it noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and China, our two countries have maintained cordial relations. “The party is concerned that this action has the potential to harm our relations with China, a country that has been a true friend to Guyana and one that has extended technical, financial and humanitarian support to us over the years,” the AFC statement read.