MOFA says Taiwan will not give in to China pressure over Greek case

Taipei, Nov. 26 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Sunday that Taiwan will not cave in to Chinese pressure and will continue to conduct exchanges with foreign countries, after a recent foreign media report indicted that Greece has warned its officials not to attend events organized by Taiwan to avoid angering Beijing.

In an English-language article published on Nov. 23, Nikkei Asia cited an email reportedly signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou asking Greek diplomats at home and abroad to steer clear of events hosted by Taiwan to avoid angering China.

The notice, marked "urgent" also warned against meeting with Taiwanese officials in Greek government buildings or de facto embassies known as Taipei Representative Offices.

"The participation of ministers, members of parliament and civil servants in receptions or events of the Representative Office must be avoided," said the email seen by Nikkei.

Such behavior was "perceived as an indirect recognition of the independence of Taiwan" and may cause "serious problems" in Greece-China relations, the email added.

The Nikkei Asia said the warning was an "unprecedented move," citing an unnamed source who received the notice and people familiar with the European nation's Taiwan policy.

Meanwhile, Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to questions about the policy and whether it was motivated by pressure from China. The Taipei Representative Office in Greece also declined to comment, according to Nikkei Asia.

Asked to comment, MOFA in Taipei did not directly confirm or deny the authenticity of the reported warning in a written statement issued on Sunday.

MOFA said that as a responsible member of international community, Taiwan always upholds respect and remains open-minded in conducting exchanges and interacting with foreign countries.

"Taiwan will never cave in to China's long-term and pervasive pressure, and unilateral behavior in altering the status quo," MOFA said.

It will continue to enhance relations with like-minded countries based on the universal values of freedom, democracy, rule-of-law and human rights, to contribute to regional and global security and prosperity, the ministry added.

According to a Facebook post by the Taipei Representative Office in Greece, this year's Oct. 10 Republic of China (Taiwan) National Day reception, was held on Oct. 9 at the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens and hosted by Representative Sherman Kuo (郭時南).

The post included several photographs featuring Kuo but none of them identified participating guests.