TAIWAN SLAMS CHINA’S BULLYING OVER GUYANA OFFICE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan has condemned China's bullying after the Caribbean country of Guyana terminated an agreement with Taiwan to set up an office in the country less than 24 hours after it was announced.

On Thursday, MOFA announced it had signed an agreement with Guyana on Jan. 11 to open a "Taiwan Office," adding that personnel had already been sent to the country to begin initial preparations, Emerson Lim reported for the Central News Agency (CNA) of Taiwan.

However, hours later, Guyana's Foreign Ministry issued a statement announcing the termination of the agreement, citing "miscommunication."

Guyana said it had noted various media releases relating to the Taiwan Office, and clarified that it continues to adhere to the "one China" policy and its diplomatic relations with Beijing remain intact.

Responding to the abrupt change, MOFA said in a statement Friday that both sides had agreed to announce the Taiwan Office through the media. MOFA said Guyana's decision is "regrettable" and denounced Beijing for "bullying."

"We condemn in the strongest terms the Chinese government's bullying and suppression of Taiwan's international space," it said.

Beijing's move does not conform with the Feb. 5 pronouncement by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum that "the strong should not bully the weak" and decisions should not be made by "waving a big fist," MOFA said.

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