CASTRIES (CMC):

External Affairs Minister Rufus Bousquet Friday called on the government of China to "cool it" and conduct itself in an acceptable manner in the aftermath of Castries' decision to grant diplomatic recognition to Taiwan.

Bousquet was reacting to reports Thursday that the People's Republic of China was "highly offended" over the St. Lucia government's stated intention to resume full diplomatic relations with Taiwan at the earliest possible opportunity.

"These remarks have seriously undermined the existing friendly relations between China and St. Lucia, and are highly offensive to the Chinese nation," Gu Huaming, China's ambassador to St Lucia, said in an official statement.

However, Bousquet told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that there was no going back on the decision and government had decided on a foreign policy issue as it saw it fit, acting as a sovereign nation.

"We have been very gracious and diplomatic on this issue and we are following diplomatic principles in terms of the way we operated on this matter.

"We have been very careful about making this decision and now that we have taken it, obviously we do not expect that the Chinese will love us any more for it, but we expect that they will conduct themselves in a manner that is acceptable to this government," he told CMC.

Deal possible this week

The signing of a new memorandum of understanding between St. Lucia and Taiwan could take place as early as this week when Taiwan's Foreign Minister James Huang pays an official visit there.

In their statement Thursday, the Chinese, in a last-ditch effort to maintain their 10-year diplomatic relationship with St. Lucia, urged the government not to establish or develop any official or semi-official relations with Taiwan.

They also called on Castries to "immediately terminate all words and actions that are harmful to China/St. Lucia relations".

The Chinese are currently in the process of building a new hospital on the island, work on which is reported to have stopped, with all orders for further imports of cement cancelled, sources added.

Additionally reports reaching CMC Friday indicated that the embassy in the north of the island had already closed its doors.

Millions for Suriname

Meanwhile, Taiwan is offering millions of dollars in development aid in exchange for Suriname's formal diplomatic recognition, it has emerged.

The Suriname governmentsince 1976 has had diplomatic relations with China and is adhering to the 'One-China policy'. But, Taiwan which communist mainland China considers its renegade province, launched a campaign here recently to foster goodwill among the Surinamese people.

According to the Suriname-Taiwan Friendship Foundation, Taiwan is willing to assist Suriname with its infrastructure, land development and housing schemes, electrification, social and community development projects, tourism product and education system.