African nation cuts ties with Taiwan, Chinese media calls it 'punishment' against provocations

Beijing [China], Dec. 22 (ANI): African island nation Sao Tome and Principe has announced that it has cut its "diplomatic" ties with Taiwan and acknowledged sovereignty of the People's Republic of China. People's Daily has termed it as a first setback to Taiwan "diplomacy" after President Tsai Ing-wen's phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump. Sao Tome is the first country to break "diplomatic" relations with Taiwan since Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen took office. The Chinese mainland immediately gave positive feedback as Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that China welcomed the decision by Sao Tome and Principe since the one-China policy is widely recognized around the world. People's Daily said the diplomatic break is not accidental but is obviously a punishment for Tsai's refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus and other provocations against the one-China policy. Meanwhile, the Taiwan authorities cited Sao Tome's request for enormous aid for the diplomatic cut off. According to local media reports, Sao Tome asked for USD 210 million from Taiwan as the country has long been providing aid to the small and poor countries with which it has "diplomatic" ties. People's Daily said that Tsai's rejection of recognizing the 1992 Consensus is a reckless move as Taiwan is just the size of a province and it cannot compete economically or diplomatically with the mainland. The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) push for Taiwan independence will herald Taiwan's "diplomatic" suicide, it added. (ANI)