China, Dominican Republic establish diplomatic ties

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01:56

The People's Republic of China and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday signed a joint communique in Beijing to establish diplomatic ties, while the Dominican Republic severed "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.

The Dominican Republic is the 176th country to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing.

"The Government of the Dominican Republic recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," the joint communique says.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) and Dominican Republic's Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado attend a signing ceremony in Beijing. /Reuters Photo

The Dominican Republic is the largest economy and top tourist destination in the Caribbean region. It is also China's second largest trade partner in the region, with annual bilateral trade reaching two billion US dollars.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who attended the signing ceremony with Dominican Republic's Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado, said China highly appreciates the Dominican Republic's announcement that it recognizes the one-China principle and has severed "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.

Adherence to the one-China principle is the fundamental prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and any country, Wang stressed, describing the principle as an internationally recognized norm and consensus.

He said China and the Dominican Republic have opened a new chapter in their relationship by establishing ties officially. It means "unprecedented, huge opportunities" for the development of the Dominican Republic, he added.

Wang noted that the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries will inject new impetus into China-Latin America cooperation.

Vargas said the Dominican Republic has taken a right and important step by establishing diplomatic relations with China.

Bird Island La Cacata, Los Haitises National Park, the Dominican Republic. /VCG Photo

The Dominican Republic would like to enhance political trust with China and carry out bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and education, and is looking forward to a new era of strategic cooperation between the two countries, said Vargas.

An Fengshan, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Tuesday that adherence to the one-China principle is a widely held consensus among the international community.

The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Dominican Republic is in line with the will of the people and the general trend of the world, he underscored.

00:51

The Dominican Republic is among a number of countries cutting ties with Taiwan and establishing diplomatic relations with China in recent years, including Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Panama.

Last year, China and Panama opened embassies in each other's capitals after the two countries established diplomatic ties in June. Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez paid his first state visit to Beijing in November.

Only 19 countries still have "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.

(Graphics by Fan Chenxiao and Gao Hongmei)