Will oppose China's political interference in Western Hemisphere: US on El Salvador row
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The White House today said it would "oppose China's political interference in the Western Hemisphere" after El Salvador decided to cut ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic links with China.
"This is a decision that affects not just El Salvador, but also the economic health and security of the entire Americas region," the White House said in a statement.
On Tuesday, El Salvador had severed ties with Taiwan, an ally of the US, to join hands with China even as Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen criticised the move.
"The United States will continue to oppose China's destabilization of the cross-Strait relationship and political interference in the Western Hemisphere," the White House added.
Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen vowed to fight China's "increasingly out of control" behaviour after El Salvador cut ties with the island nation.
"The El Salvadoran government's receptiveness to China's apparent interference in the domestic politics of a Western Hemisphere country is of grave concern to the United States, and will result in a reevaluation of our relationship with El Salvador," the White House warned.
The White House also added that El Salvador's government had made the decision "in a non-transparent fashion only months before they leave office". "Around the world, governments are waking up to the fact that China's economic inducements facilitate economic dependency and domination, not partnership," it said.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and does not recognise it. President Tsai said China was exerting pressure on the island in an attempt to influence its politics, including local elections in November.
"We have to make mental preparations," Tsai said in a statement.
"China's pressure towards Taiwan will not stop ahead of the elections," Tsai added.
El Salvador became the fifth diplomatic loss under Tsai's presidency and the third this year.
Taiwan now has diplomatic relations with just 17 countries, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Sao Tome, Principe and Panama had joined hands with China earlier.