Taiwan Reportedly to Pay Macedonia

The Taiwanese government has promised Macedonia more than $300 million for its decision last week to establish diplomatic ties with Taipei, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Taiwan will provide the money over four years to help the Balkan nation overcome a budget crisis, the United Daily News reported, quoting sources at the Macedonian state news agency.

Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister, David Lee, who traveled covertly to Macedonia to cement the agreement, declined to comment on the report, although Foreign Minister Jason Hu has denied offering cash for recognition.

But Lee was quoted by newspapers as saying Taiwan was obligated to take steps to “consolidate” the fledgling diplomatic ties against maneuvers by rival China.