TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — There is currently no risk of losing diplomatic allies, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) said on Monday (May 13).

During a legislative interpellation, Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Lai Shih-pao (賴士葆) questioned whether diplomatic allies Haiti and Guatemala were at risk of severing ties with Taiwan, CNA reported. Tien said there were no concerns in the short term, and the foreign ministry would continue monitoring ties with its allies.

KMT Legislator Huang Jen (黃仁) asked about diplomatic ally attendance at the May 20 presidential inauguration. The deputy minister said all 12 diplomatic allies, including the Holy See, will send high-level representatives to the ceremony.

Tien said which leaders its allies decide to send depends on the country's domestic situation. 

Last week, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) revealed in a radio interview that two countries could switch recognition to Beijing in the long term but did not disclose which ones. However, there was no risk in the short term since Taiwan was assisting the two countries, Wu said. 

Beijing had an opening to influence one nation after it sought assistance from the United Nations, Wu said. In another ally, China was using a neighboring country to help leftwing extremists stir up trouble, he said.