Taiwan minister to visit African allies
Taiwanese Foreign Minister James Huang Chih-fang is set today to lead a delegation on a 10-day visit to six of the island's African allies to pave the way for President Chen Shui-bian's expected visit to the continent in September.
Mr Huang said his trip was highly significant in the context of the mainland's persistent efforts to increase its influence in Africa and its attempts to woo the island's allies.
'Since its economic rise in recent years, China has steadfastly increased its influence in Africa and has repeatedly tried to persuade our allies to switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing,' Mr Huang said on the eve of his departure.
He noted that no Taiwanese leader had visited Africa since 2002, making Mr Chen's likely visit to the African allies more important.
Mr Huang said his ministry was preparing for Mr Chen's visit to the continent and would brief the president about any issues that needed his attention.
However, he said the schedule for the president's visit had yet to be finalised. A ministry source said the visit would most likely take place in September.
Mr Huang's visit will be his first to Africa since he became foreign minister in February.
His delegation, which includes officials from government agencies, two legislators and a group of business and industrial leaders, will visit Swaziland, Chad, Malawi, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, and Sao Tome and Principe.
The nations are Taiwan's only allies in Africa, in contrast to the mainland's 47 allies in that part of the world.
Mr Huang declined to comment on the possibility of the island increasing its diplomatic presence in the near future and also would not say whether the president would make surprise visits to any non-allies during his visit.
Beijing has long vowed to become the leader and superpower of the Third World.
It has made this year the 'Year of Africa' to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic engagement with the continent.
The mainland's economic rise has facilitated this goal. In April, President Hu Jintao visited three African states, followed by Premier Wen Jiabao's seven-state visit last month, which included Egypt, and South Africa.
The mainland is Africa's third-largest trading partner.
