As the Republic of China on Taiwan intensifies its diplomatic war to gain international recognition, the Taiwanese Ambassador to the Gambia, H.E. Dr. Patrick Chang, yesterday reechoed his nation’s indignation with the UN, declaring the exclusion of Taiwan from the world body as unfair to the 23 million people of Taiwan.

Speaking at a cocktail reception hosted in honour of the 96th National Day of Republic of China held at the Paradise Suites Hotel, Ambassador Chang emphasised that 23million people of Taiwan should be treated equally by the international community.

“When the Germanys and two Koreas were admitted to the UN, why the Republic of China (Taiwan) could not be admitted as well?” he fumed, while challenging the UN to accept the reality and abide by its Charter and refrain from discriminating against the friendly people of Taiwan.

According to the Taiwanese diplomat, when President Chen Shui-bian applied for Taiwan’s admission to the UN on July 19th this year, his letter was dealt with ‘rudely’ and returned with the wrong interpretation that Resolution 2758 had solved the Taiwan issue. “In fact, the resolution only solved the representation of China in the UN. It didn’t solve the representation of the 23 million people of Taiwan, who are living independently of China and have never been represented in the UN,” he stated.

Turning to the bilateral relations between Taiwan and The Gambia, Ambassador Chang noted that the relations between the two countries have been cordial and fruitful, adding that they are proud to be in close partnership with The Gambia. 

He revealed that in the past year, they successfully completed a number of projects in the fields of education, health, agriculture and infrastructure. Ambassador Chang also hailed The Gambia’s support of Taiwan in the international arena, assuring that they shall spare no effort and would work even more closely in pursuing the visions which the president has for the country.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Gambian Foreign Affairs Secretary of State, Hon . Crispin Grey-Johnson, congratulated the government and people of Taiwan on the occasion of their National Day celebration, wishing them continued peace, security and prosperity.  He paid glowing tribute to the government of Taiwan for their continued support to the government of The Gambia. “Let me recall that in the field of education, there has been a considerable number of scholarships awarded to Gambian students to pursue higher education programmes in Taiwan, while not in any way diminishing the level of support to the other sub-sectors of the educational system within The Gambia.” 

He also gave the assurance that The Gambia, under the leadership of Dr. Alhagie Yahya Jammeh, will continue to support Taiwan at the level of the international system.