Maldives apologizes over letter to appoint Taiwan envoy

Fathimath Saya Ahmed|May 20, 2023, 4:27 AM

Chinese Ambassador to Maldives Wang Lixin. -- Photo: Mohamed Shabin

The Maldives’ government has expressed regret to China after sending a letter to parliament for the nomination of an ambassador to Taiwan.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih sent the letter to the People’s Majlis last week. He asked to nominate an envoy to the Republic of China or Taiwan, replacing the current envoy to the People's Republic of China.

Adhadhu understands that the letter was submitted due to an administrative error.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives has explained and apologized to the Chinese side for this…,” Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin tweeted on Friday night.

Maldives does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and does not see Taiwan as a sovereign state.

She added that the Maldives government reassured “their long-term commitment to the one-China principle.”

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, is an island separated from China by the Taiwan Strait. It has been governed independently of mainland China, officially the People’s Republic of China, since 1949.

The Chinese government views the island as a renegade province and vows to eventually unify Taiwan with the mainland.

Maldives-China relations Foreign Ministry China

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