China re-establishes ties with former Taiwan ally Sao Tome
Taiwan has accused the mainland of taking advantage of the West African state’s financial woes to push the move
Beijing re-established diplomatic ties with Sao Tome and Principe on Monday, six days after the small West African state broke off relations with self-ruled Taiwan.
The move signals the recurrence of a harsh diplomatic war between Beijing and Taipei. It has followed the refusal of the island’s independence-leaning government to acknowledge the “1992 consensus” since President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in May.
The 1992 consensus is a tacit understanding reached in 1992 that both the mainland and Taiwan recognise there is only one China, but that each can have its own interpretation of what “China” stands for.
Beijing was expected to boost its efforts to bring Taiwan’s allies over to its side, to exert pressure on the pro-independence camp on the island, observers said.
“The next country to set up diplomatic ties with Beijing will be a very influential country,” said a veteran Taiwan affairs expert at a mainland policy think tank, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Beijing is pressuring Tsai in two ways. One is squeezing Taiwan’s international space, such as re-establishing ties with Sao Tome. Another is to enhance communication with the Kuomintang,” the analyst said, referring to the mainland-friendly opposition party in Taiwan.