TAIWAN AMBASSADOR HITS BACK AT PUDEMO CRITICISM

MBABANE – The Republic of China (Taiwan) has responded strongly to PUDEMO’s sharp criticism of the Asian State’s recent elections.

Taiwan’s Ambassador in Eswatini, Jeremy Liang, said they were not surprised that the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) was in support of Mainland China and was acting as China’s mouthpiece. He said whatever view the proscribed entity might hold, it would not change the fact that Taiwan was a sovereign and independent country.

The ambassador was responding to a statement issued by PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya yesterday, stating that the elections were not in the best interests of the Chinese people. The ambassador stated that the people of Taiwan had spoken through the election. He said the results of the of the Taiwan presidential election showed that “the Taiwanese people reject the ‘One Country, Two Systems, model and, despite facing threats from China, still choose to follow their own path.

“It is not surprising that PUDEMO’s statements align closely with those of China, as if acting as a mouthpiece for China. However, this does not change the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country,” he said. Makhanya,  in his statement, said PUDEMO contends that the best interests of the 23.5 million Chinese citizens who live in Taiwan are well served by the full-scale re-unification of the Chinese people.

“The People’s United Democratic Movement notes the outcomes of the recent electoral process held in Taiwan, the province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over the past weekend (January 13, 2024). PUDEMO is of the considered view that the holding of these elections outside the framework of the One China Principle and its attendant ‘One China, Two Systems’ concept is not in the best interests of the Chinese citizens who reside in the Province of Taiwan.”

Makhanya stated that the victorious emergence of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), a separatist and secessionist party, was not only unfortunate, but also complicating an already untenable geo-political state of affairs, in relation to global stability and the future of Taiwan.

Urged

He urged the newly elected leader of the DPP, William Lai Ching-te, to do the most sensible thing, which was to substantively engage in a sincere dialogue with the People’s Republic of China, aimed at the re-unification and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. “We further condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the posture of the Eswatini Government of cheerleading Taiwan away from the re-unification agenda and for maintaining diplomatic relations with the Province of Mainland China. In equal measure, we denounce the double standards by Taiwan, of exercising multi-party democracy in the province, while supporting the Tinkhundla system,” he said.

Makhanya applauded the government of the people of Nauru for becoming the latest country to officially abandon its diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of recognising the One China Principle. He said it was indeed commendable and was what all nations of the world should emulate for broader global peace and justice. Noteworthy, recently, some PUDEMO members visited the People’s Republic of China to learn about their system.

This comes after William Lai Ching-te from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan’s presidential election, despite warnings from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, not to vote for him. With votes from all polling stations counted on Saturday, the Central Election Commission said Lai won by 40.1 per cent, ahead of Hou’s 33.5 per cent.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: