The Taiwan government has removed Cambodia from two visa facilitation schemes, effective August 1. That came from Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Saturday, July 18.

The government suspended a conditional visa-free entry scheme and the Guanhong Project, aimed at tour groups, for Cambodian nationals entering Taiwan. The policy changes go into effect on August 1.

Lin said that diplomacy is a bilateral relationship based on equality and reciprocity, but the Cambodian government has not treated Taiwan accordingly. He said that in recent years, the Cambodian government has aligned itself with and distorted the one-China principle, even expressing support for unification by force, which has harmed Taiwan’s sovereignty and the safety of its people.

Lin said that Taiwan cannot accept the Cambodian government’s actions that harm its interests, but still hopes that the two sides can promote friendly exchanges between their peoples on the basis of equality and reciprocity, which are important for Cambodia’s own development.