'UK Bird Group Clips Staff Wings Over Taiwan Row'

"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("

Related News Programmes

"); });

2020-09-18 HKT 12:31

Share this story

facebook

  • BirdLife International has reportedly asked its staff not offer any comment over accusations that it removed its Taiwanese partner. Image: Shutterstock

    BirdLife International has reportedly asked its staff not offer any comment over accusations that it removed its Taiwanese partner. Image: Shutterstock

A British-based wild bird body has issued a gag order telling employees not to comment on its decision to expel a Taiwan conservation group that refused to sign a document related to the its political position.

Taiwan's Chinese Wild Bird Federation (CWBF), based in a small Taipei office, this week became the latest and unlikely front in the geopolitical battle between the mainland and Taiwan.

In a statement on its Facebook page, CWBF said BirdLife International removed it as a partner after it refused to sign a document committing to not promote or advocate the legitimacy of the Republic of China or its independence. The Republic of China is Taiwan's formal name.

While the Cambridge-based BirdLife International has not commented publicly on the issue, in an email to staff that was reviewed by Reuters, its CEO Patricia Zurita referred to the "sadly public statement" issued by CWBF on the issue.

BirdLife as a matter of policy does not comment on internal and governing matters related to its partners, she wrote.

"If you receive any queries regarding this matter, please DO NOT offer comment and instead refer the matter to me directly," Zurita said.

Zurita did not respond to an emailed request for comment, nor a message left on her mobile phone or message sent to it.

In a brief emailed comment late on Thursday, BirdLife said they will try to respond more fully as soon as they can.

Since the news broke, messages have been posted on BirdLife's social media pages denouncing their decision to remove CWBF as a partner, and saying BirdLife has kowtowed to Chinese Communist Party.

The CWBF has been shocked by the decision, saying it was a non-political organisation and could not sign any political documents as they were conservationists not politicians. (Reuters)

RECENT NEWS

Tycoon Sits China's University Exams For 27th Time

Among the millions of fresh-faced high schoolers sitting the nation's dreaded "gaokao" college entrance exam on Wednesda... Read more

China's First Home-grown Large Cruise Liner Undocks

The first large cruise liner developed by China completed its undocking in Shanghai on Tuesday, marking its complete tra... Read more

Chinese, US Diplomats Hold 'frank' Talks In Beijing

Meetings between senior mainland and US officials in China this week struck an upbeat chord, with both sides agreeing to... Read more

China's Cruise Industry Set To Make Waves Again

China's cruise industry, suspended for more than three years due to the pandemic, is expected to resume operations in th... Read more

Toll From Deadly Landslide Rises To 19

All 19 people caught in a landslide in Sichuan province on Sunday have been confirmed dead, state media reported, announ... Read more

'Nato-like Alliance Disastrous For Asia-Pacific'

Defence Minister Li Shangfu on Sunday told the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore that any moves to establ... Read more