China confirms diplomatic ties with Chad

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) China has confirmed it resumed diplomatic relations with Chad on Sunday, blocking Taiwan's efforts to keep the African nation as a diplomatic ally.

The Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Chad counterpart Ahmad Allam-mi signed a communique restoring formal ties between their two countries in Beijing, the official Xinhua news agency reported late yesterday.

Ties were broken in 1997 when Chad switched recognition to Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing regards as a breakaway with no international standing.

''The Chadian government recognises there is only one China in the world,'' the communique said, according to Xinhua. ''Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.'' Chad's move was a blow to Taiwan, whose Premier Su Tseng-chang was forced to cancel an imminent visit to the oil-producing African nation. Su had been due to fly there yesterday to attend the inauguration of Chad's President Idriss Deby, who was re-elected to a third term in early May.

Taiwan said on Sunday it had protested the move by Chad, which reduces the island's diplomatic allies to 24.

Deby has faced threats from eastern rebels whom he has said are backed by neighbouring Sudan and are armed with Chinese weapons.

REUTERS DH RK0712