台湾、韓国に「強烈な不満」表明　唐鳳氏の講演中止で

【台北ＡＦＰ＝時事】台湾は２１日、韓国が台湾の唐鳳（オードリー・タン）政務委員（閣僚）を会合に招待して講演を予定しながら、「両岸関係」を理由に中止したことを受けて、韓国に抗議したと発表した。（写真は台湾の唐鳳＜オードリー・タン＞政務委員）
　「両岸」は、外交では台湾海峡を挟む中国と台湾を指すことが多い。
　台湾のデジタル政策を担当する唐氏は１６日、首都ソウルで開かれた会合で講演する予定だったが、台湾外交部（外務省）によると、主催者は「両岸関係の各側面」を理由に講演を中止した。
　同部報道官は、同部が駐台湾の韓国代表代理を呼び「この失礼な行為について強烈な不満を表明した」と述べた。
　韓国は中国と国交を持ち、台湾とは正式な外交関係がない。韓国外務省報道官は「台湾と非公式な交流を深めていきたいという政府の立場に変わりはない」と説明した。
　日本と同様に、韓国はアジアにおける欧米の主要な同盟国だが、台湾に対しては、日本ほど明確な支持を示していない。
　韓国の文在寅（ムン・ジェイン）大統領は今月、米国などが表明した北京冬季五輪の外交ボイコットは検討していないと述べ、中国はこれを歓迎した。
　文氏は、韓国は中国と円満な関係を築きたいとの考えを示し、朝鮮半島に平和をもたらすには、北朝鮮の最大の支援国である中国政府と協力する必要があると述べた。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】

〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/12/22-12:53）

Taiwan said Tuesday it has lodged a protest with South Korea after a conference invitation to one of the island's ministers was rescinded over cross-Strait issues.
The term, which refers to the Taiwan Strait, is commonly used in diplomacy to describe relations between Taipei and Beijing, which considers the island its territory -- to be taken one day, by force if necessary.
Taiwan's digital minister Audrey Tang was set to speak at a conference in the South Korean capital on December 16, but the island's foreign ministry said that was cancelled with the organisers citing various aspects of cross-Strait issues.
The foreign ministry has summoned the South Korean acting representative to Taipei to express our strong dissatisfaction over the impolite action, said spokeswoman Joanne Ou.
Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Seoul has also lodged a protest, she added.
China baulks at any official exchanges between other countries and self-ruled Taiwan.
It has stepped up pressure in recent years to isolate the island internationally, getting eight nations to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing since 2016.
Seoul officially recognises Beijing over Taipei.
I understand the decision was made after a comprehensive review of all related aspects, South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam told reporters Tuesday when asked about the conference disinvitation.
Our government's position remains the same, in that we will seek to continue enhancing unofficial exchanges with Taiwan.
Like Japan, South Korea is a major Western ally in Asia but Seoul is less outspoken than Tokyo in voicing support for Taiwan.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in this month ruled out joining the US-led diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a decision welcomed by China.
Moon said South Korea wanted a harmonious relationship with China, and cited the need to work with Beijing -- North Korea's main backer -- to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.