Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for Caribbean Affairs, Ambassador Zhao Zhenyu has categorically dismissed a report coming from the Opposition New National Party (NNP) that he held discussion with the party's Political Leader Dr. Keith Mitchell over the debt owed by Grenada to Taiwan.
Zhao visited Grenada last week to congratulate the new Government of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas on behalf of the Chinese Government following the July 8 General Elections.
During his visit he met with the Prime Minister, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David.
A courtesy call was also paid on Dr. Mitchell, as Opposition Leader, at his Happy Hill residence.
Within hours of the ambassador's visit to Dr. Mitchell, a news release was issued by the NNP disclosing the outcome of the meeting.
The news release said in part, "Dr. Mitchell also called on the Chinese Officials to hold talks with Taiwan as soon as possible to relieve Grenada of debts owed.
It quoted Dr. Mitchell as saying that he had already made this request as Prime Minister and noted that the Chinese Government promised to deal with this request after the election."
When questioned by the media about the issue, Zhao said, "We did not talk about that! I have no comment on that."
Taiwan is looking to seize EC $68.5 million in assets owed by Grenada for default payment on loans contracted while it held diplomatic status with this country.
The funds were contracted between 1989 and 2004 with the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Almost four years ago Dr. Mitchell dumped Taipei for a more lucrative package from Beijing.
The Chinese Envoy disclosed that he thanked Dr. Mitchell for what he has done over the past three years while he was Prime Minister of Grenada in establishing the diplomatic relationship between Beijing and St. George's.
