Despite its expulsion from Grenada, the Repoublic of China on Taiwan (ROC) Editor of the Grenada Informer Newspaper Carla Briggs is in the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan on a two week media relations exercise.

Sources told GRENADA TODAY that Briggs left the island over the week end for Taipei. It is believed that the itinerary for her trip was worked out at the Taiwanese Embassy in Kingstown, St. Vincent although no official statement was made about it in St. George's.

The New National Party (NNP) government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2004 in favor of Mainland China. Dr. Mitchell was unhappy with the financial assistance given to this country by the Taiwanese amidst the widespread destruction caused by hurricane Ivan over two years ago.

One of the promises made to this country by the Chinese was for the reconstruction of the collapsed Queen's Park National Stadium in time for Cricket World Cup 2007.

Briggs is known to be pro Taiwan and is the interim Chairperson of the Grenada/ Taiwan Support Group which was launched Last October in St GeorgeÆs to mark the independence of the far -East country.

One of the objectives of the group is maintaining the link with Taipei following the severing of ties by this country. Although the Taiwanese were kicked out of Grenada, some former Embassy officials had kept close contact with a number of media practitioners on the island.

A journalist spoke of receiving an e-mail from a former Diplomat inquiring about the status of the National Stadium being constructed by the Chinese as well as their relationship with the local media.

Over the years the Taiwanese had sent several top media practitioners from Grenada to Taipei and had even hosted luncheons on their behalf.