Taiwan blasts Nicaragua for giving its assets to Beijing after cutting ties
- Diplomatic switch to Beijing is followed by Taipei’s embassy compound and other assets being handed to mainland Chinese government
- Taiwanese ministry criticises ‘illegal seizure’ after Daniel Ortega’s government confiscates assets donated to Catholic archdiocese
Accusing Nicaragua of defying international laws and protocols, the Taiwanese foreign ministry said President Daniel Ortega’s government had illegally confiscated the embassy compound in Managua, the capital, and other assets belonging to Taiwan after switching ties from Taipei to Beijing on December 9.
“Regarding the Nicaraguan government’s illegal seizure of our embassy properties and unlawful transfer of them to the People’s Republic of China, it is totally unacceptable to our government and for this we express our strong protest,” the ministry said on Monday.
According to a report on Sunday by Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa, the Ortega government had ordered that diplomatic assets donated by self-ruled Taiwan to the Catholic archdiocese of Managua be confiscated and handed over to Beijing.
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Citing a statement by the Nicaraguan government, it said the move was in line with the one-China policy of Managua that Taiwan was an inseparable part of China and therefore the People’s Republic of China government enjoyed ownership of the assets, which included furniture and facilities.
Acting archbishop Carlos Aviles was quoted as saying that Taiwan had agreed to donate the assets before it shut down its embassy and recalled all of its officials stationed there. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said its embassy officials had signed an agreement to do so with the archdiocese last Wednesday, with the donated facilities supposed to be used for public benefit.
The ministry said it would resort to international law and seek support from the international community to override the “illegal acts” of the Ortega government so that the properties could be returned to the archdiocese.
It accused the Ortega government and Beijing government of working together against Taiwan and the Catholic Church.
Taiwan’s relationship with Nicaragua deteriorated sharply after Managua’s switch. The Taiwanese ministry had also criticised the Ortega government for ordering its embassy officials to leave the country in two weeks, which it said was against international protocol.
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This was the second time Nicaragua had severed diplomatic ties with the island. It cut its 55-year recognition of Taipei in 1985 before switching back in 1990.
Observers said Nicaragua needed financial support from Beijing to shield itself from recent international sanctions.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory that must be brought into its fold by force if necessary. It insists its allies avoid official contact with the island and has poached several of Taipei’s allies, leaving it with just 14.
