An official from Sao Tome and Principe, an allied nation in Africa, is set to arrive in Taiwan on Sunday. The visit comes soon after a visit to China by Sao Tome President Manuel Pinto da Costa. That sparked speculation that the African nation was considering severing ties with Taiwan.
Sao Tome and Principe is one of only about two dozen nations that recognize the Republic of China, which is the official name of Taiwan, instead of the People’s Republic of China.
The foreign ministry in Taipei issued a statement on June 6 expressing concern about the Sao Tomean president’s China visit. The statement also noted that in a letter dated June 4, Pinto da Costa told President Ma Ying-jeou that the visit was in a private capacity, with the purpose of soliciting investment.
The Sao Tome official who is set to arrive in Taipei on Sunday is the chief secretary of the presidential office, Amaro Couto. He’s set to meet with a number of high ranking Taiwanese officials. It’s thought that Taiwan will ask Couto for a briefing on Pinto da Costa’s visit to China.
Meanwhile, last week a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry tried to downplay Pinto da Costa’s visit last week. She said that the only information she had was that the president was on a private visit to attend what she called a "trade and business activity" there.