Taiwan foreign minister resigns over ruptured Burkina Faso ties

ROC Central News Agency

2018/05/24 20:26:11

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Thursday that he has made a verbal request to quit over the latest blow to Taiwan's diplomatic efforts, after Burkina Faso announced earlier in the day that it was breaking ties with Taiwan.

Wu said he has informed President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of his decision to resign because as a political appointee he must take responsibility in his line of work.

Taiwan has lost two diplomatic allies to China since Wu became foreign minister in February. On May 1, the Dominican Republic severed official ties with Taiwan, leaving Taiwan with 19 diplomatic allies. The loss of Burkina Faso has now reduced the number to 18.

(By Elaine Hou and S.C. Chang)
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