Taipei, Sept. 18 (CNA) The Presidential Office reiterated Taiwan's commitment to peaceful cross-Taiwan Strait relations on Monday, despite Beijing's alleged use of its "one China" principle to continue to suppress Taiwan on the international stage.
Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang rebutted Panama President Juan Carlos Varela's claim that money had nothing to with his country's decision to establish diplomatic ties with China while answering reporters' questions during a press briefing.
Huang said it is clear from both Beijing's comments in June, when Panama switched recognition to China as the only Chinese government under its "one China" principle, and from Varela's statement during an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), that Taiwan continues to face many diplomatic challenges from Beijing's manipulation of the "one China" principle and its continued use of checkbook diplomacy to suppress Taiwan internationally.
In Varela's interview with CCTV, which aired that day, he stated that Panama did not ask for anything from Beijing when it chose to establish ties with the country.
"I think establishing diplomatic ties with China is the right decision for Panama and its people, and for the benefit of both countries," he said.
The comments are in stark contrast to what Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee said when he first broke news of severed ties with Panama on June 13.
According to Lee, Varela "caved in" to Beijing for economic interests and ignored Taiwan's long-term assistance.
Huang's response implies that the government thinks there is little to no truth to Varela's comments, although he said that Taiwan will continue to work to maintain cross-strait peace, which he said should be the responsibility and goal for both Taiwan and China.
On the subject of cross-strait exchanges, the spokesman noted that politics should not be a factor that influences cross-strait relations, nor should there be any inappropriate disturbance of each other's diplomatic efforts.
"Only then can we achieve understanding across the strait and stimulate the meaningful development and cooperation between both sides," he continued.
To this end, Huang said the administration will continue to make gestures of goodwill to Beijing in the hope of dissolving the animosity.
