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Malawi gives Taiwan 30 days to leave after ties cut
LILONGWE - Malawi has given Taiwanese officials 30 days to leave the country after it cut diplomatic ties with the island nation in favour of China, a local newspaper reported on Wednesday. We have been given 30 days in which to pack and leave Malawi but also have an option of asking for more days, Elliot Jiang, spokesman for the Taiwanese embassy in Lilongwe, was quoted as saying in the Daily Times.Jiang said about 40 jobs held by Malawians at the embassy and at its technical mission would be lost immediately. Malawis Parliamentary Committee on International Relations has summoned the minister of foreign affairs to explain the decision to switch to China, one report said. We will ask the Minister to share information on how they came up with the decision. Maybe we could have found ways of keeping Taiwan after such a long relationship, parliamentary committee chairperson Muhammad Lali told The Nation newspaper. The committee is dominated by opposition lawmakers who have had a fractious relationship with President Bingu wa Mutharikas administration, but analysts doubt they can do much to reverse the decision. The impoverished southern African nation cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan two days ago after 41 years and established links with China, which has become a major economic power in Africa and regards Taiwan as a renegade breakaway province. Posted by: Steve White 2008-01-17 |
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