KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — The main Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) has announced plans of a major foreign policy shift, saying it would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China if it is elected to office.

The announcement by NDP president and Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace yesterday represents a change in one of the last common policies that the NDP shared with the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP).

St Vincent and the Grenadines has maintained unbroken diplomatic ties with Taipei – the capital of Taiwan – since 1981, even as several other Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Grenada, have switched ties over the last decade.

Beijing says Taiwan is a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland, by force, if necessary.

Kingstown remains one of just five Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations, three of which are members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), that continue to recognise Taipei over Beijing.

The others are St Lucia, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, and Belize.

The Dominican Republic completes the list of Caribbean nations that recognise Taiwan.

In making the announcement, Eustace said the NDP “constantly monitors the state of international affairs, with specific emphasis on how they impact various parts of the world, our own vital economic and other interests as a small island developing state in the Caribbean”.

He said a number of recent and on-going developments are “portentous for international trade, global finance, immigration, development assistance, and regional security”.

According to the Opposition leader, the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union – ‘BREXIT’ — and its aftermath; the prolonged collapse of oil prices and its impact on the economies of major global and regional players, including Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela; the expanding reach of terrorism and the ramifications of the upcoming US presidential and congressional elections, influenced his party’s decision.

Eustace also spoke of “growing concern and scepticism in some quarters about efficacy, and even the current relevance of Caricom and its institutions”; urgency to conclude major international trade deals, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was drafted October 5, 2015, signed February 4, 2016, and now awaiting ratification by 12 Pacific Rim countries, namely the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Brunei, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, Peru, and Singapore.

The NDP leader also spoke of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a major shipping route and important traditional fishing grounds, through which trillions of dollars in products pass; instability in several volatile areas of the world; and continuing malaise and mismanagement of Vincentian economy.

“The NDP is observing these developments for their potential effects on St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the wider Caribbean region. As a modern political organisation, we continue to discuss and formulate a range of appropriate measures and responses to ongoing geo-political realities,” Eustace said in the statement made at his party headquarters and broadcast live.

“Recognising these changes in our election manifesto, we had promised to make adjustments to our diplomatic missions overseas to include a strong component for trade and investment promotion as distinct from the normal consular functions.

“In this regard, fully cognisant of the ever-evolving symmetry of international affairs, and the principal responsibility and obligation of our party in or out of Government to diligently pursue and protect the best strategic interests of our country, I hereby formally announce that the New Democratic Party of St Vincent and the Grenadines, as of today’s date, August 23, 2016, has taken the decision to recognise the United Nations accepted norm of a One China Policy.

“Our party, under my leadership, has evolved to the world view that is embraced by almost every country in this region, and indeed the world,” he said.

Eustace said the One China Policy will be a key international relations platform of the NDP, adding that his party will “move to change from The Province to Beijing when we form the next Government shortly.

“It must be noted that the People’s Republic of China is a crucial member of the Caribbean Development Bank, from whose funds St Vincent and the Grenadines has benefited over the years.

Of the entire 15 members of Caricom, St Vincent and the Grenadines is only one of four countries not in step with the internationally accepted One China Policy.

“Our international relations stance is in keeping with all of our traditional friends — the United States, Canada, Europe and most of Latin America.

“The People’s Republic of China is indeed a major international player and the New Democratic Party looks forward to close relations with its party and Government,” Eustace said.

The announcement by the NDP comes months after the return to office in Taiwan of the Democratic Progressive Party, which favours independence from Beijing.

Asked about the “warming” relationship between Bejing and Taipei, and if he thinks both sides intend to preserve that relationship, Eustace said: “I don’t think one can describe the present situation in that way. This newest Administration in Taiwan has not followed that path. The hostility has increased.”

Asked what he sees as the benefits of switching ties, Eustace reverted to his statement, saying, “the changing state of the world”, mentioning again BREXIT, matters related to immigration, security, and SVG’s regional partners.

“[Those are some of] the reasons why we change how we think our embassies should be structured. We take account of the changes that are taking place in the world.”

When it was pointed out that a country must look first at it own national interest and asked in what way he sees SVG benefiting from switching ties, Eustace said: “We are looking for more trade an investment and there are institutions, which, for instance, like the CDB which is financed by China now. That wasn’t so in the earlier years… They have relationship with 12 other countries and others are thinking of making the change also. Most of the world accepts the One China policy and they do so because they perceive there are benefits to their economy.”

The announcement by the NDP comes just three months after Eustace attended an event hosted by the Taiwan Embassy in Kingstown to toast the inauguration of the nation’s first female president.

His announcement also comes just one week after Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Louis Straker, said Kingstown was hoping to establish diplomatic presence in Taiwan and would hold talks in that regard later this year.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has benefitted significantly from it relationship with Taiwan both in terms of infrastructural and human resource development.

Taiwan financed the terminal building at the Argyle International Airport, 15 learning resource centres across the country, and bridges and other pieces of infrastructure projects. Just last Friday, 17 students left St Vincent for Taiwan to pursue university degrees, funded by scholarships from Taiwanese Government.