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Taiwanese officials in $30m row | Taiwanese officials in $30m row |
(41 minutes later) | |
Two top Taiwanese officials have quit over the loss of $30m (£15m) of public money during a failed attempt to secure diplomatic ties with Papua New Guinea. | Two top Taiwanese officials have quit over the loss of $30m (£15m) of public money during a failed attempt to secure diplomatic ties with Papua New Guinea. |
Vice Premier Chiou I-jen and Foreign Minister James Huang said they had resigned to take blame for the scandal. | |
The money was given to two men to broker a deal with PNG in 2006. They are suspected of embezzlement. | |
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, and the island often courts small nations in a bid for recognition. | China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, and the island often courts small nations in a bid for recognition. |
Chequebook diplomacy | Chequebook diplomacy |
The resignation offers of both Mr Chiou and Mr Huang have reportedly been accepted. | The resignation offers of both Mr Chiou and Mr Huang have reportedly been accepted. |
Mr Chiou said at a news conference that he was standing down while the investigation took place, AFP news agency reports. | Mr Chiou said at a news conference that he was standing down while the investigation took place, AFP news agency reports. |
He added that the inquiry would prove his innocence. | He added that the inquiry would prove his innocence. |
Both China and Taiwan are often accused of using chequebook diplomacy to establish political friendships, especially in the South Pacific, Caribbean and parts of Africa. | Both China and Taiwan are often accused of using chequebook diplomacy to establish political friendships, especially in the South Pacific, Caribbean and parts of Africa. |
The rivalry stems from the Chinese civil war. | The rivalry stems from the Chinese civil war. |
After the Communist victory in 1949, their defeated foes, the Kuomintang, fled to Taiwan and set up a rival government. | After the Communist victory in 1949, their defeated foes, the Kuomintang, fled to Taiwan and set up a rival government. |
Initially recognised by the UN and many Western governments as the legitimate rulers of China, Taipei lost its status to Beijing during the 1970s. | Initially recognised by the UN and many Western governments as the legitimate rulers of China, Taipei lost its status to Beijing during the 1970s. |
Beijing now opposes any moves for greater recognition of Taiwan as a separate entity, and fewer than 30 nations still have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. | Beijing now opposes any moves for greater recognition of Taiwan as a separate entity, and fewer than 30 nations still have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. |
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