The Kiribati President Taneti Maamau says there's no truth in rumors that his country will sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of China.
Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati, speaks at the meeting with Pacific Island Forum Leaders, held on the sidelines of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly. Photo: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
President Maamau was responding to a question raised by MP, Taberannang Timeon, who asked if there was any truth in the news circulating that the government was ending diplomatic relations with Taiwan in preference for China.
The president told parliament that joint venture projects being undertaken by his government and Chinese companies, such as Kiribati Fish Limited, and the mobile company, Ocean Link Ltd, were a continuation of joint ventures made by the previous administration.
Radio Kiribati reports Mr Timeon said he was concerned at the partnerships being for formed with Chinese state-owned companies, but President Maamau said he should not be concerned because Kiribati would continue to maintain its diplomatic links with Taiwan.