El Salvador denies asking Taiwan for money before switching allegiance to China
Taiwan’s allegations described as ‘totally false’ by presidential office as it admits the change was driven by economic considerations
Salvadoran authorities on Tuesday denied having asked Taiwan for money in exchange for maintaining diplomatic relations with the self-governing island, saying its decision to switch recognition to China was due to the enormous advantages of trading with the economic giant.
In an interview with state television, presidential spokesman Roberto Lorenzana called Taiwan’s allegations “base” and “totally false”, noting that other countries have opted to have diplomatic and commercial relations with Beijing.
“We cannot turn our back on the world, ignore that China is the second-largest power in the world and the leading export economy on the planet,” Lorenzana said. “It is key for our country.”
President Salvador Sanchez Ceren announced on Monday night in a televised address that his country would break from more than 80 years of relations with Taipei and immediately switch to Beijing.
China considers Taiwan a renegade province, and the two have long competed with so-called dollar diplomacy – funding public works projects such as stadiums, for example – to secure recognition from other nations. With El Salvador’s switch, 16 small countries plus the Vatican currently recognise Taiwan.