TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan insisted its newly forged diplomatic links with the tiny Pacific island of Vanuatu were legitimate, despite opposing voices in the Port Vila government and Beijing.
Taiwan said its new ties with Vanuatu, which already had diplomatic relations with arch-rival China, were "very clear" after the nation's prime minister signed a communique here Wednesday.
"For us it is very clear. The Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) and the Republic of Vanuatu signed a communique yesterday to open a full diplomatic relationship," foreign ministry spokesman Michel Lu told AFP on Thursday.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Serge Vohor signed the document and the two countries "pledged to promote cooperation in fields of mutural interest," Lu said.
China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory, has asked for Vanuatu a "clarification" while a senior Vanuatu foreign affairs official told AFP he was shocked by the announcement.
Only two months ago, on September 10, Vohor visited China and met President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to reaffirm that Vanuatu would continue to recognise Beijing.
But Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Kau Ying-mao Kau denied newspaper reports that Vohor had acted against his government's wishes by failing to secure cabinet approval before he left for Taiwan.
"Some local newspapers said Vohor had not secured the advance approval of Vanuatu's cabinet before he travelled to Taiwan. The reports are not true," Kao said.
China insisted Port Vila would not be severing its links with Beijing and would not change its One China policy, which rules out Taiwan's existence as an independent entity.
"China's ambassador to Vanuatu asked the Vanuatu side for a clarification," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue at a briefing in Beijing.
"Vanuatu will continue to adhere to the One China position," she added.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification despite their split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
Vanuatu's foreign affairs department director-general George Manuri told AFP Wednesday that he was "surprised and shocked" by the announcement of ties with Taiwan, adding that he was unaware that Vohor had even gone to Taipei.
"This is a complete reversal of our One China policy of recognising mainland China," Manuri said.
During his trip here, Vohor had also pledged to support Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations, World Health Organization and other regional and global bodies, moves vehemently opposed by Beijing.
11/04/2004 - 11:26 GMT - AFP