In 2013 Gambia, then ruled by dictator Yahya Jammeh, broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Badly in need of funds, it had declared itself an Islamic Republic in the hope of prying some cash out of Saudi Arabia and Iran, rivals for influence in the Islamic world. Apparently Jammeh thought he could get some money out of China if he dumped Taiwan.
Unfortunately for him, China waited until March of 2016 to establish relations with Gambia. With only a few months left in the two-term presidency of the pro-China Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), for many in the media, Beijing could only
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday met with the delegation of French lower house members and expressed her hope that their nation, along with other Europ
France must take bolder action to support Taiwan’s democracy without fearing potential sanctions by China, and Paris upholds freedom of navigation in the Asia-Pacific region, French lawmakers said in Taipei yesterday.
The lawmakers, part of a parliamentary delegation visiting Taiwan from Wednesday to tomorrow, made the remarks at a news conference at the Marriott Taipei.
The delegation is led by Francois de Rugy, chairman of the French National Assembly’s France-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group.
This is his second trip to Taiwan after a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in 2016.
It is notable that Taiwan has faced increasing threats over the past five-and-a-half years,
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Addressing a group of visiting French lawmakers, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen called Wednesday for greater unity among democratic nations in the face of rising authoritarianism.