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US, Taiwan Team Up to Stop Small Countries From Allying With China

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Taiwan and the United States have sent their first
   joint trade delegation to one of Taiwan's diplomatic allies as tiny,
   often impoverished countries keep turning instead to China, a source of
   aid for the developing world but a perceived threat to both delegation
   organizers.
   In the first week of November, the delegation visited Saint Lucia, one
   of just 15 nations that recognize Taiwan diplomatically instead of
   China. They assessed ways offshore businesses could help the Caribbean
   country with infrastructure, trade and investment, the government-run
   Central News Agency in Taipei said.
   "The way to consolidate diplomatic relationships is multi-dimensional,"
   Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said. "It should be an
   effort across different domains, and investment is one of them. We hope
   that it will help. We do hope that through this joint delegation, it
   can play an important role."
   Taiwan's Foreign Ministry hasn't announced plans for future visits to
   other Taiwan diplomatic allies but doesn't rule out the idea.

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