Saint Vincent’s New Democratic Party wins parliamentary vote, prompting Taiwan to reaffirm support for their shared democratic values.
Taiwan extended its congratulations to the incoming leadership of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the day after the opposition New Democracy Party (NDP) declared election victory on Nov. 27.
The NDP’s win ends the ruling Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 24-year reign in the Caribbean nation—one of Taipei’s remaining formal diplomatic allies.
NDP leader Godwin Friday was sworn in as prime minister on Nov. 28.
Taiwan’s ambassador, Fiona Fan, conveyed Taipei’s well-wishes to Friday and other newly elected lawmakers “at the first moment.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed recognition for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the elections, saying the vote occurred through an “open, transparent, and calm democratic process,” reflecting Vincent’s “mature and stable political culture.”
“Taiwan and Saint Vincent share universal values such as democracy, freedom, and human rights,” the ministry said, highlighting progress made since relations were established in 1981.
Over the past 44 years, bilateral cooperation has expanded across agriculture, food security, infrastructure, healthcare, ICT, and women’s empowerment—achievements that the MOFA said have been “remarkable.”
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is one of 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan—four of which are in the Caribbean.
China’s communist regime views democratically-governed Taiwan as one of its provinces and has not ruled out taking it by force—a position the island’s government and its supporters disagree with.
Elections in allied states are closely monitored in Taiwan, as shifts in government leadership can lead to changes in recognition.
The NDP has previously suggested closer ties with China, though its election platform did not address Taiwan’s future.
Taipei’s relations with Saint Vincent remain a key diplomatic concern, as Taiwan’s international allies have been dwindling in the past decades.
Honduras and Nauru are recent examples of countries that switched recognition from the Republic of China in Taipei to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing.
By James Xu
