China's move to lure Taiwan's allies unhelpful to regional peace: AIT

ROC Central News Agency

2018/05/01 16:03:54

Taipei, May 1 (CNA) China's move to lure Taiwan's diplomatic allies has changed the status quo and is unhelpful to regional stability, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said Tuesday.

"These efforts to alter the status quo are unhelpful and do not contribute to regional stability," AIT spokeswoman Sonia Urbom told local media when asked to comment on the U.S. stance after the Dominican Republic announced that it had cut ties with Taiwan and established relations with China.

Urbom stressed that the U.S. has a deep and abiding interest in cross-strait stability and believes that dialogue between the two sides has enabled peace, stability and development in recent years.

"The United States urges all concerned parties to engage in productive dialogue and to avoid escalatory or destabilizing moves," she added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego, who is leading a congressional delegation on a visit to Taiwan, told reporters that he was disappointed in the Caribbean country's decision but stressed that the U.S. will continue its strong relations and alliance with Taiwan.

Gallego, who is a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, refused to speculate on whether Beijing's move was meant as retaliation after U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act into law in February, which promotes visits by senior government officials of both sides.

"They (Beijing) have to answer for their actions but we know that we will continue to do what we can to strengthen our relations and we are really proud we passed that act," he said.

(By Joseph Yeh)
Enditem/J