By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Taiwan’s foreign ministry says visas issued to officials to attend the World Trade Organisation (WTO) summit in Cameroon contained errors, citing it as reason for the island country’s absence at the summit, a development that comes after it initially complained that it was listed as coming from China.
China lays claim that Taiwan is in its territory, a position staunchly resisted by the island which insists it’s an independent sovereign nation.
The WTO is one of the few international bodies that Taiwan takes part in, having joined as the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu in 2002, referring to islands Taipei also controls.
Last week, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it had complained to the WTO and Cameroonian authorities that the African country had listed the island as “Taiwan, province of China” in pre-travel documentation issued by Cameroon.
Late on Thursday, the ministry said Cameroon subsequently proposed a remedial measure to exempt Taiwan’s delegation from visa requirements. It further pointed out that those documents were full of errors, misspelled names and listing almost every delegate as females.
“This shows that the Cameroonian side handled the matter carelessly and without sincerity,” the ministry said.
“If our personnel were to enter Cameroon carrying documents full of errors, there would be an even greater risk of being obstructed or humiliated upon arrival. After a comprehensive assessment, we have therefore decided not to attend.”
A WTO spokesperson said that following engagement by its Director General, new visas were issued on March 20 in line with Taiwan’s request, declining further comments.
Taiwan, the world’s main producer of advanced semiconductors, said this is the first time it has not attended a WTO ministerial conference since becoming a member 25 years ago.
China, which has deep economic and political ties with Africa, has stepped up efforts to curb Taiwan’s international participation, which it insists is its province.
Taiwan, which is not a United Nations member, has been particularly concerned over what it has called Chinese pressure to prevent it taking part in the World Health Organization, even as an observer.
Asked about Taiwan’s participation in the WTO meeting on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the island was “engaging in political manipulation despicably under the pretext of participation in the WTO conference to create disruption and serve their ‘Taiwan independence’ agenda”.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government says Beijing has no right to speak for or represent the island.
