Taiwan accuses Beijing of trying to make it ‘irrelevant’ with Vatican deal

South China Morning Post ^ | Oct 4, 2018 | Reuters

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The Vatican is Taiwan’s last remaining diplomatic ally in Europe. The self-ruled island has formal relations with 16 other countries, many of them small, less-developed nations in Central America and the Pacific.

“Communist China remains committed to making the Taiwan people irrelevant to the United Nations and to excluding Taiwan from playing a meaningful role both in the United Nations family and in the international communities."

Matthew Lee, Taiwan’s envoy to the Vatican, made the dig in a speech during a reception marking Taiwan’s national day that was attended by Vatican officials, including several directly involved in the negotiations with Beijing.

On September 22, the Vatican and Beijing signed a provisional agreement giving the Holy See a long-desired say in the appointment of bishops in mainland China.

Although the Vatican insists its deal with Beijing is not political – which Lee emphasised in his speech – diplomats say it is likely a precursor to the Vatican eventually switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

Lee, adopting a Biblical comparison, said Taiwan was David and China was Goliath.

“With the assistance of global partners standing up to the rising autocratic authoritarian power of Beijing, Taiwan will persist, persevere and prevail,” Lee said.