Foreign Ministry slams Taiwan's 'dollar diplomacy' with Palau

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning slammed attempts by Taiwan's Lai Ching-te authorities to squander the hard-earned money of Taiwan residents on "dollar diplomacy" on Monday, saying it has been used to engage in corruption, interest transfer, and money-for-power deals to serve their "Taiwan independence" separatist agenda and personal political calculations.

Mao made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a report that Taiwan's aid to Palau has increased from $18 million last year to $25 million this year, and that the regional authorities have also provided nearly $281,000 in grants directly to former and current officials and lawmakers in Palau.

"For certain countries like Palau, maintaining so-called 'relations' with Taiwan is not for the fundamental interests of their nations and peoples, but to line the pockets of a minority of vested interests," she added.