The Foreign Affairs ministry in Banjul has issued a statement on Friday apologising to Beijing over a gaffe by President Adama Barrow who mistakenly referred to Taiwan instead of China during his state of the nation address.
President Barrow inadvertently mentioned the Republic of China which is Taiwan instead of the People’s Republic of China (mainland China) while commending Beijing for undertaking several development projects in his country.
The gaffe did not go unnoticed by strutinous members of the public who pointed it out shortly after Barrow delivered his 45-minute monologue at the National Assembly last Thursday.
Reacting to the mistake, the Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad ministry apologised for what it called a typographical error contained in the president’s speech.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveys its deepest regret and reassures the People’s Republic of China of The Gambia’s adherence and commitment to the One-China Policy and strengthening of our excellent bilateral ties”.
Beijing which restored diplomatic ties with Banjul three years ago has not commented publicly.
Banjul’s relations with mainland China foundered shortly after then Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh seized power in a military coup and established diplomatic ties with Taiwan in return for millions of dollars in aid to his fledgling government.
Beijing which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, cut ties with Banjul shortly afterwards in protest, a break that was to last 21 years.
WN/as/APA