CASTRIES (CMC):

President of the St. Lucia-China Friendship Association, Earl Bousquet, yesterday warned of the implications of the decision by the St. Lucia government to re-establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

In a statement, Bousquet said that the decision would eventually lead to the severance of diplomatic relations with China after a 10-year period, adding that several major projects being funded by Beijing would be stopped.

"Of major concern in this regard, to all St. Lucians, is the future of the new mental hospital and plans for the new National Cultural Complex. Also of concern is the status of the EC$104 million (US$38.5 million) from the Chinese government included in the budget presented last week.

Future of the people

"But we are most concerned about the future of the people-to-people relations that were developing between St. Lucia and China, which resulted in several exchange programmes between students, members of the press, development of cooperation exchanges between technocrats and a healthy growth in business and trade between our two countries," he said.

Bousquet, a former press secretary to former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, said that the wide range and background of members of the association indicated that St. Lucians across the board have been and were still very appreciative of the assistance received from China.

"We do not question or challenge the government's right to take decisions in the interest of the country. That is their right. But we are concerned when these decisions will present major political complications ... ," he said.

Bousquet said that the mandate of the association is to promote friendly relations between China and this country, adding, "this we remain committed to do, with or without a Chinese diplomatic presence here".