Marshall Islands stays with Taiwan

Marshall Islands stays with Taiwan

MAJURO (AFP): Ending weeks of speculation and uncertainty about relations with Taiwan, newly elected Marshall Islands President Kessai Note said on Friday the ties will continue.

At the opening of the Nitijela (parliament) session, Note said diplomatic links established 14 months ago by the previous government will continue.

"Many questions have been asked in the past week about whether or not our relations will continue," Note said. "The new government recognizes the ties with the Republic of China."

He said Taiwan had made a substantial contribution toward development of the Marshall Islands, support that was "greatly appreciated".

Note said, however, that a small task force had been established by the government to study the relationship to insure that the government was fully aware of all aspects of the ties.