Taiwan has since 1999 been one of five permanent observers – along with Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Morocco – at Parlacen.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has called for Beijing to be given observer status. Photo: AFP
But Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on June 23 proposed in a motion that Parlacen cancel Taipei’s observer status and replace it with Beijing.
Ortega, a deputy speaker, reportedly told the parliament that all members except Guatemala recognised Beijing diplomatically so it should be granted observer status instead of Taipei.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry last week said Nicaragua was trying to “curry favour” with Beijing.
“By proposing to expel Taiwan so as to let in China, undoubtedly, Nicaragua is once again attempting to curry favour with Beijing in hopes of obtaining economic aid and political support to solve its domestic economic woes,” said Hsiao Kuang-wei, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry.
He said Ortega had in April last year issued a statement that did not go through the parliamentary review and discussion process declaring that there was only “one China”.
Hsiao said Taiwan had never been ruled by the People’s Republic of China and that it was “barbarian and unreasonable” for Beijing to continue using its one-China principle to try to bar Taiwan from taking part in international organisations.