美國務院重申支持台灣 無意改變與兩岸關係 新頭殼 20180912

「we don’t see it as particularly advantageous to revise a set of practices that have caused us to – that have enabled us, excuse me, to maintain close unofficial relations with Taipei and develop relations with Beijing.  Basically, short answer is this is the kind of relationship that works for us.  It doesn’t necessarily work for every other government.」

意思是，維持現狀不應被改變。

記者懷疑：這件事情是the Chinese vice foreign minister came to State Department and discussed with Secretary Sullivan yesterday?

美國務院重申支持台灣 無意改變與兩岸關係    新頭殼 20180912

美國國務院日前召回中南美洲3國使節，以了解這3國與台灣斷交的決定。國務院發言人諾爾特今天重申支持台灣，但也表示，美國不認為改變與兩岸的關係，會對美國格外有利。

美國國務院美東時間7日傍晚宣布召回巴拿馬、多明尼加與薩爾瓦多使節，以了解這3個國家與台灣斷交的決定。

諾爾特（Heather Nauert）今天在國務院例行記者會上被問到此事時，重申日前的聲明，並表示這3位使節將會見政府高層，討論美國如何在中美洲與加勒比海地區，支持強健、獨立且民主的機制與經濟。

她也重申，美國視台灣為成功的民主故事、可信賴的夥伴，也是世界一股良善力量。台灣為因應全球挑戰而擴大自身貢獻，在面對打壓時仍努力參與國際舞台，美國會繼續支持台灣。

在被問及美國是否擔憂中國試圖影響台灣邦交國時，諾爾特表示，美國意識到全球發展的重要，以及改善全球基礎建設的必要，但她也強調，各國有基於自身條件發展、尋求他國提供貸款的主權權利，但美方認為這些條件應該透明、公平。

媒體追問，美國本身與台灣在1979年斷交，為何薩爾瓦多等國家以同樣理由和台灣斷交，卻要受到懲罰或警告。諾爾特回應，美國與台北維持密切的非官方關係，並與北京發展關係的做法，「這樣的關係對我們有用，並不代表適用於其他政府」。美國不認為改變與兩岸的關係，會對美國格外有利。

QUESTION: Hi. Can I ask you – recently you put out a statement saying the State Department called back ambassadors from Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Panama.  Could I ask, was this related to – at all to those governments cutting off ties with Taiwan?  Why did you call them back?  What did you want to discuss with them?

MS NAUERT: We made the decision to call back three ambassadors – you’re correct about that – Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and also Panama, to the United States, to Washington for consultations relating to recent decisions – and this gets to the answer of your question – decisions to no longer recognize Taiwan.  Those chiefs of mission will meet with U.S. Government leaders to talk about ways in which the United States can support strong, independent, democratic institutions and economies throughout Central America and also the Caribbean.  They’ll be in Washington through September the 14th.

And if I could just make a quick mention of something: that we see Taiwan as a democratic success story.  It is a reliable partner to the United States and a force for good in the world.  The United States will continue to support Taiwan as it seeks to expand its already significant contributions to addressing global challenges and as Taiwan resists efforts to constrain its appropriate participation on the world stage.  And I think I’ll just – I’ll leave it at –

QUESTION: Do you have any sort of concerns of China trying to influence these countries that have official ties with Taiwan?

MS NAUERT: I think we recognize overall the importance worldwide of development and infrastructure and the need to improve infrastructure all over the world, whether it’s on the African continent, in South America, you name it.  We like to emphasize to all countries that they have a sovereign right to develop on their own terms, to seek loans on their own terms that benefit those countries.  This falls into sort of the sovereignty category, that they have a right to choose that, but one thing that we certainly caution other countries around the world – we believe that those terms need to be transparent and fair.

QUESTION: Thank you very much. So on Taiwan, the United States cut official ties with Taiwan in 1979. So now, why countries like El Salvador should be punished or be warned because – to cut the official ties with Taiwan for the same reason the United States did in 1979?

MS NAUERT: I think – let me just go back to saying we have a relationship with Taiwan.  We see it – we don’t see it as particularly advantageous to revise a set of practices that have caused us to – that have enabled us, excuse me, to maintain close unofficial relations with Taipei and develop relations with Beijing.  Basically, short answer is this is the kind of relationship that works for us.  It doesn’t necessarily work for every other government.

QUESTION: Is this something that the Chinese vice foreign minister came to State Department and discussed with Secretary Sullivan yesterday?

MS NAUERT: I don’t have any readouts on that meeting now for you. Okay.

QUESTION: Heather, I need to get in two quick ones.

MS NAUERT: Sure.

QUESTION: You can’t just wrap this up after half an hour. There’s been a lot going on.