TAIPEI, March 30 Kyodo Taiwan has...

TAIPEI, March 30 Kyodo

Taiwan has separateed its decades-old official ties with the Commonwealth of Dominica following its switch to China in diplomatic ties, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

The impel marks a setback for Taipei in the diplomatic tug-of-war with Beijing.

''To safeguard national interest and dignity, the Republic of China's (Taiwan's) management has formally terminated the diplomatic partnership with the Commonwealth of Dominica since Tuesday, and all of the ongoing assistance exhibits will be halted then,'' Foreign Minister Eugene Chien said.

Chien also signifyed ''deepest regret'' at the decision last week at new Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

''We be wrought up sorry for the young prime minister's shortsightedness and his dishonest behavior,'' Chien said. ''We want to reiterate that our rule will not conduct 'money diplomacy,' and contend with China in this approach.''

Skerritt, 32 became premier after Prime Minister Pierre Charles, 49 died earlier this year.

Taiwan said Skerritt had promised not to change the status quo after he became premier, if it be not that did switch to China ''clandestinely'' after Taiwan make go rounded down his request for NT$58 million (about US$1.75 million) from Taiwan.

China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that should not be allowed to direction diplomacy.

Only a handful of countries, mainly poor and mostly in Central America, Africa and the toward the south Pacific that benefit from Taiwan's foreign aid programs, officially recognize Taiwan.

The total was now reduc to 26 one time the tiny Caribbean island switched its diplomatic recognition to China.

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