Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton has explained his party’s position on the One China Policy, saying the party is in support of such policy.
Addressing a press conference held at the Prevo Cinemall on Tuesday, Linton said the party’s position was never negotiated but has to do with China’s territorial integrity.
“Our position on China was not negotiated,” he said. “We did not sit down in a room and with the promise of X amount of million dollars for this or for that … we believe in the One China Policy.”
Linton explained the party’s position based on the territorial integrity of China.
“Here is the basis on which we stand; very simply it’s a territorial integrity matter in the sense that what the Chinese are claiming is very simply, that the geographical space that represented China years ago before the internal difficulty surfaced, in fact, is China,” he stated. “That is the One China. So whether you go across the strait and you get into the island of Taiwan etc, all of that originally was Chinese land and that defines the territorial integrity.”
Dominica had maintained a 21-year relationship with Taiwan until March 23, 2004 when Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, severed ties and established relations with China.
Linton said the UWP made a decision on the matter years ago when ties with Taiwan were severed.
“We took a decision years ago, having regard to the fact that the Labour Party government entered into diplomatic relations with China in 2004,” he stated, adding the party decided that “should we come into office, we would not switch diplomatic relations.”
He said the party looks forward to the day, “hopefully sooner rather than later” when the territorial integrity issue of China will be amicably resolved.
The One China Policy is the diplomatic acknowledgement of China’s position that there is only one Chinese government. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.
The policy can be traced back to 1949 and the end of the Chinese civil war. The defeated Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang, retreated to Taiwan and made it their seat of government while the victorious Communists began ruling the mainland as the People’s Republic of China.
Both sides have always maintained they represented all of China.
After the end of the Chinese civil war, many countries recognized Taiwan and shied away from Communist China. Things changed in the 1970s when the United States and China saw a need to develop relations, with the US and many countries cutting ties with Taiwan in favour of China.
The US currently maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan.
oh what a rat brace and what’s wrong with this Jokes you guys need to live politics alone
We support the one china policy if they give us money when we win the next election (sounds of laughter at the back) and we do not support it if Taiwan offers us more. It’s a matter of principle. That being, money talks, and we need all the handouts we can get.
Boy look jokes in Dominica! Lennox Linton and UWP accept and support the One China Policy! Well the world finish for true. DNO, you have a habit of not publishing my comments but that is fine. You prefer to publish all the rubbish a certain Telemaque person writes, but that is fine too Good luck!
Do you have a record of proof which supports that UWP and Linton has said they do not support the ‘One China Policy’ or are you going on what has been shoved down you throat by Skerrit.
Sorry for my ignorance but is that all the trip to china produced, a clarification of the “one china policy”? maybe there will be another press conference to enlighten the masses on the benefits derived by that visit….I am anxiously waiting
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Do you ever request press releases from Skerrit when he goes to these so call meetings on Dominican taxer payers dime….NO….. so dont anxiously wait on UWP for another press release….. when Skerrit ran up to Italy earlier this year and it was assumed it was get rid of evidence of his conspiracy with the illegal oil cargo arrested in Vietnam…DID YOU ASK FOR A PRESS RELEASE…..UP TILL NOW NOT A THING FROM HIM…..BTW WHERE WAS HE AFTER THE 5 YOUNG MEN DIED….DID YOU REQUEST A PRESS RELEASE THEN!!!!!
To %. I am very grateful that the UWP , Linton in particular answered my question on their position on the one China policy. If the UWP has to take your advice they will remain where they are; in opposition. Political leaders and parties have to consistenly remind the public their stance on issues even though they have already done so. %, you act like someone scorned. You need to be civil with your opinion ; not agitated.
Expat you must read.This is stale news..Go get a good book and read.You are upset with that?Too bad! What about Skerrit not having a press conference?Are you happy with that?
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
All I can say is, if you live long enough you will see many things! I guess if I live long enough I will see even more astonishing things!
– After persecuting the government nationally, regionally, internationally for the CBI programme and its “supposed” sale of diplomatic passports, here comes Sam Raphael’s revelations, casting doubt on the professed clean hands and pure hearts of the same accusers.
– After preaching hell and damnation about Skerrit trying to turn Dominica into a one party state the accusers go to bend the knees to a one party state, turn their backs on Taiwan and agree that it is in fact part of one China.
– After casting aspersions on the help that was being received from China in that Dominica’s Prime Minister was Prime beggar and was relying on handouts from China, those handouts have now become significant development assistance.
– After declaring Skerrit guilty by association with all economic citizens who fell into disrepute, here comes………
DNO
I guess the continuation of my post was allowing too much departure from what you want said, so it has disappeared?
Do I need to change my name to get three continuous ramblings like some people on this site?
Well done Team Dominica. Extremely professional, focussed, determined, diplomatic and honest. thanks for service and attempt to clean up Dominica and us focussed on socio-economic development.
You make in sound so simple. There’s the “One China Policy” and the “One China Principle.” They are distinct from each other.
One China Policy: It is the diplomatic acknowledgement of China’s position that there is only one Chinese government, despite the existence of two governments that claim to be “China”.
One China principle: Whereby China insists Taiwan is an inalienable part of one China to be reunified one day.
So it’s not a “very simple territorial integrity matter.”
These people are embarrassing themselves. Is that all you came back from China with? Where are the manufacturing jobs? If you were the ruling party I would call a vote of no confidence. Seven headless …. with no balls went to Chinatown to tell the government that crap? You could have stayed in any cabaway and. Yell and you acholites would listen. % give me a new lyrics because Skerrit Must Go isn’t working. Message is DOA, DEAD ON ARRIVAL,
What is to stop you from calling for a vote of no confidence for the ruling party? Where are the jobs? They had to inven the NEP program to massage the unemployment figures exactly because there are no real jobs
why should you be so disturbed with a trip to china by right thinking honest men? Its your pm who indicated that he only from Dominica have international friends and continues to fool Dominicans over developing the country. why haven’t u ask your PM where was he for twelve or so days and why is he not reporting to the country about his trip? Any way read the book of Jeremiah in Gods bible. congratulations are in order for U W P and the sign of greater things to come. Just a little history 1990 generation elections won 3 seats 1995 won 11 seats. with a new leader 2014 won 6 I can say seven so be on the look out. There must be change. God the heavenly Father not your Dominica god is in control.
UWP… that’s the way good governance manifests itself – you lead while other political parties wish they could follow.
Skerrit must go now
It is the other way round on this one. Your good governance leaders are following 13 years after. I think that even if you want to support people you shouldn’t expose yourself to ridicule in the face of obvious and well known facts. Just keep quiet on certain things and this is one of them.
After the Sam Raphael bombshell and the trip to China debacle I don’t think you people have any moral authority to criticise the governing party’s supporters because you are behaving the same way that they do and worse, I think.
This guys……, that swing which ever way the wind blows. Their desperation and incompetence is beginning to show to those of us who are educated, have commonsense and know foolishness when we see it.
These are the same people who were talking nonsense about the current administration links with China without any factual evidence now they see progress they want to undermine the government and support what the government is supporting.
Unless if Skerit has a problem with China you guys will never penetrate their system because unlike your organization China never waiver in their support.
You guys look weak, disgraceful, desperate, unsure and disorganized.
You continue to insult the integrity of Dominicans and make us look like most of us have no sense.
It is time we raise the standard and demand that every body who want to get involved in politics should have a degree if not this foolish politics of the 50’s and 60 will continue. Dominicans demand more
You should know better but how can you , having a degree doesn’t make you smart because with that degree you must have common sense so tell me where is it, PM should show his degree and remember he had to donate money to a school so he could get a doctorate title that is not official , so when you are making comments think before you speak.
The hater of Linton are the ones making his more popular than ever he haven got do anything difference than what he and his party are doing but to stand up for Dominica and all Dominicans.
Jojo
Re read my comment then come up with an educated response. You sound foolish and uneducated.
There are many people who have earned a doctorate without sitting in a classroom. It is not illegal and Skerrit is no exception.
I am not a hater for Linton I am an observer who has commonsense and who is not bias. I unlike others do not support party but I stand for progress
You are proving to me that politics in Dominica needs to change. We as a nation need to demand more from politicians and we will get more out of ourselves.
you spoke my sentiments perfectly
You know putting honourable LLL,Leader Lennox Linton and DLP Skerrit side by side, Skerrit would pale into insignificance? Honourable Linton seem to be ahead on national,regional,international matters,those to do with good governance, economic growth, transparency,accountability,virtually everything.Thats why I sometimes refer to this so called DLP,a party of clowns and dullards.
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
@% I wonder what you carrying on about… Have you already forgotten the trips to St. Kitts to the Taiwanese embassy? Hmmm You are so bent on Skerrit must go that you can`t see the blatant lies Linton is spitting out. Mister has too much guts boy!
POOR YOU %. You really believe that crap. Any pre school child can see that Lennox Linton, your Opposition Leader hasn’t got a clue what the One Chino Policy is about
“A very simple territorial integrity matter”???????? WHAT HOGWASH!!!!!!!!
Brain fart? And your point is??
…We believe in the one china policy
Alas how much did it take from Lennox belly to say that? A promise of funds in the future? Well Lennox aint as arrogant as I thought then, or he is not as clean as he professes. You remember the stepping on the Chinese flag and hoisting of Taiwanese flag in Roseau? Did you discuss this with Taiwan as you questioned about Skerrit some years ago? Oh how easy it was for you to eat your spit, this should be a lesson. I know pride will prevent UWP supporters to come here and admit but we are not blind, we can see. LENNOX ACCEPT ONE CHINA POLICY 
cant contain myself on this one yet. while you are at it Lenny tell China to have free and fair elections.