January 16, 2008, 12:45
George Mhango
The Malawian government has given Taiwan's representatives 30 days in which to pack up and leave the country. This follows the cutting of ties between the two countries this week.
Elliot Jiang, of the Taiwanese embassy in Malawi, says Malawi's ambassador to Taiwan Thengo Maloya will be given sufficient time to leave for Lilongwe. The order comes three days after Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda announced that Malawi had ended its 42 year diplomatic relationship with Taipei. She said Malawi has since signed diplomatic ties with Mainland China so that the country can benefit from investment opportunities, the growing economy and job opportunities.
The minister further stated that Malawi will now recognize that there is one China in the world, and that Lilongwe's former ally is an absolute part of China's territory. Banda said that all students pursuing studies, infrastructure development and business ventures in Taiwan would not be affected since prior arrangements were made.
Commentators had said China has stepped up its diplomatic offensive against Taiwan - which it considers part of its territory - by trying to persuade the 24 countries which recognize Taipei to switch to Beijing. With Malawi's cutting of ties, Taiwan remains with 23 nations on the globe as its allies while China has more than 120.
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