Chinese Embassy Staff Assault Staffer At Taiwan Office Function

Taiwan today said two Chinese diplomats on the Pacific Island nation of Fiji had entered an official function put on by staff from Taiwan’s representative office, a de-facto embassy in all but name, in the process assaulting at least one person.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the staff were hosting a party in the capital of Suva earlier this month as part of celebrations surrounding Taiwan’s National Day on October 10th.

The incident reportedly took place two days earlier, on the 8th.

It is understood workers from the official Chinese embassy were taking photos of guests – an intimidating action commonly seen near Chinese embassies in other countries during protests or the passing of petitions to embassy staff.

Ms. Ou also said Taiwan’s representative office has since submitted reports with evidence of the intrusion and assault to the local MOFA equivalent, local police officials, and has also protested to the embassy of China.

An investigation is ongoing.

Following the release of the news, one local Taiwanese politician from the ruling DPP, Wang Ting-yu, took to Twitter saying

“I am appalled & outraged by the break-in & violent attack carried out by Chinese diplomats against Taiwan’s foreign service members at our national day reception in Fiji. We can’t let China bully its way into doing whatever it wants. Our diplomats in Fiji have my full support.”

Wang is currently co-chair of Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.