Marshall Islands to maintain Taiwan ties, cites ‘concern’ over China’s influence in region

President Hilda Heine said Beijing’s attempts to expand its territory and footprint in the region ‘should be of great concern to democratic countries’

The Marshall Islands’ move comes as neighbouring Solomon Islands and Kiribati earlier this month decided to switch ties in favour of China

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Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine. File photo: AFP

Published: 1:00am, 26 Sep 2019Updated: 11:38am, 26 Sep 2019

The Marshall Islands on Wednesday confirmed it was maintaining diplomatic ties with Taipei, a welcome show of support for President Tsai Ing-wen, who has seen two other Pacific nations drop ties in favour of China in a matter of weeks.

The neighbouring Solomon Islands and Kiribati decided to recognise China earlier this month, dropping self-ruled and democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own province with no rights to state-to-state relations.

The small developing nations lie in strategic waters that have been dominated by the United States and its allies since WWII, and China’s moves to expand its influence in the Pacific have angered Washington.

In a statement, the Marshall Islands said it had adopted a resolution to show its “profound appreciation to the people and government of Taiwan”.

“We’ve all seen China’s attempts to expand its territory and footprint, and this should be of great concern to democratic countries,” President Hilda Heine said.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment. Taipei has denounced China for luring its allies with promises of easy loans.

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