Saint Lucians talk about severing diplomatic ties with China

For most Chinese people, the severance of diplomatic relations between China and Saint Lucia is just a piece of news on TV, but for the small island nation of Saint Lucia, it is a big deal. The word "China" can be seen in almost every issue of Saint Lucia newspapers. Recently, a reporter from "Global" magazine came to Saint Lucia and listened to the local people's views on this important event.

Ordinary people:? I think this is a mistake?

The island of Saint Lucia covers an area of ??616 square kilometers and has a population of about 170,000. It makes a living from tourism. It has the Caribbean's signature blue waters, fine white beaches and tropical rainforests. Most of the island's residents are black. The island is small and there are few people, but the locals are not ignorant of what is happening outside the window. They often watch TV, listen to the radio, buy newspapers, and have some understanding of politics.

In a Chinese restaurant on the island, the reporter chatted with a couple at the next table. They told the reporter that they loved Chinese food and came several times a week. When it came to Saint Lucia severing diplomatic relations with China, the middle-aged woman lowered her head and pondered for a long time, then raised her head and said slowly: "I think this is a mistake." ?

?A mistake? ?The reporter asked.

?I’m not the only one who thinks this is a mistake, most people on the island say the same. Mainland China is so large and its economy is growing so fast, while the island of Taiwan is so small. China is a country recognized by the United Nations. Major countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and France all recognize China. Only a few countries recognize Taiwan, and it always has nothing to do with money. I have never heard before that a country that has severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan will resume diplomatic relations, and Saint Lucia is the first. This is not good for our country's image, the middle-aged woman said slowly.

In the following days, the reporter struck up a conversation with the restaurant owner or the person at the next table while eating, and also chatted with the front desk clerk at the hotel, and found that most people were indeed friendly to China. Until the third day, when the reporter was driving and listening to the radio, he heard this song coming from the radio: Mainland Chinese or Taiwanese? Mainland Chinese or Taiwanese? Mainland Chinese or Taiwanese?

Listening carefully, it turns out that it is a fast-paced pop song written and composed by the locals themselves. The title of the song is "Mainlanders or Taiwanese?" 》, with a bit of black rap music, and also adds a lot of Chinese music elements. One of the lyrics is: ?Mainlanders are so friendly/They mingle with the locals/They opened their own ?Chinatown?/The things sold are the cheapest. In addition, the song also talks about China's aid in building stadiums and mental hospitals in Saint Lucia. , my gratitude is beyond words.

Keep listening. The second verse of the lyrics begins to criticize the current government, citing the shortcomings of a small group of cabinet members called the Gang of Eight. When it comes to why we established diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the song explains it clearly because Taiwan’s money is coming. ?

Newspaper boss: Mainlanders will come back soon

Saint Lucia has relatively free press and speech, and local newspapers "The Star" and "The Voice" often publish articles criticizing the government. . Sometimes, two political commentaries with completely different views appear in the same issue. Although there are many people reading newspapers here, it is a small island country after all, with a small population. Newspapers are generally only available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Once, the reporter happened to pass by the printing plant of the local newspaper "One Caribbean", walked in, and met the newspaper's owner, Dennis D'Ablao. During the chat, I learned that D'Ablao had been to China, that most of his newspapers were written by him, and that TV stations also did talk shows in person.

The reporter started the conversation: "The Chinese government has severed diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia. What does your newspaper think of this?" ?

D'Ablao smiled first: "Why do you want to know this?" After saying that, he turned around and picked up a copy of "One Caribbean" from April 21, and handed it to the reporter: "Look." ?

When the reporter took a look, the article on the front page actually put the "One China Principle" in the first paragraph. Before he could recover, D'Ablao took the newspaper and started reading word for word to the reporter: We are a Caribbean group and firmly support the one-China principle, because we understand that in fact there is only one China. /p>

D'Ablao explained that in late April, there were already signs that the United Workers' Party government was going to resume diplomatic relations with Taiwan, so he wrote the article "China's situation is not optimistic" at that time, criticizing the current situation. The government is confused and emphasizes supporting "One China".

The reporter asked: Why did the current government establish diplomatic relations with the Taiwan authorities? ?

D'Ablao shook his head: "The former Foreign Minister Rufus Bousquet was unreasonable. That was his crazy move." Now the government has realized that this was a mistake and will definitely correct it. ?

?You said the government thinks this is a mistake? Will it be corrected? Are you so sure? ?The reporter asked.

D'Ablao was about to speak but stopped for a moment. He paused and opened his mouth again: "There is a reason for this." Do you know the ?Gang of Eight? among the cabinet members? Everyone said that they had received money from Taiwan, otherwise it would not have been like this. You believe me, the government has realized this was a mistake, as evidenced by Prime Minister John Compton's removal of Bousquet. I dare not say a few months, but I think it won’t be long before the mainlanders will come back.

?

The "Gang of Eight" in D'Ablao's mouth refers to the small group in the cabinet headed by former Foreign Minister Bousquet. This is the common name for them by the local people and the media. On the morning of June 5, John Compton, the well-respected old Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, made his first appearance after suffering a stroke. He will remove Bousquet, the former Foreign Minister who strongly promoted the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saint Lucia and St. Lucia, from his post, and at the same time remove the Gang of Eight from his post. Another, former Interior Minister Keith Mondesir, was transferred from his post.

This is the second time in Bousquet's political career that Compton has dismissed him. Bousquet was removed from his post 12 years ago for violating Compton's order by disclosing an investigation to the public.