Darron John says he witnessed students in Taiwan crying when ties were cut

Unity Labour Party Candidate for South Windward Darron Rodan John speaking at a rally in Calliaqua in October 2025.

By Admin. Updated 6:51 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Darron Rodan John, the youngest candidate of the Unity Labour Party (ULP), has recounted observing scholarship students from various countries in tears when their nations severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Mr John, the ULP candidate for South Windward, addressed party supporters at a recent political rally, emphasising that ending diplomatic relations with Taiwan “will hurt us”.

“First, the scholarships will be withdrawn. That means that students currently studying in Taiwan will have to return home,” he stated.

“I want you to understand this clearly. I spent six and a half years in Taiwan. I saw students from different countries shedding tears when their countries cut ties with Taiwan,” he added.

Nauru was the most recent country to cut ties with Taiwan in January 2024, followed by Honduras in March 2023. Other countries that have recently switched recognition from Taiwan to China include Nicaragua (2021), the Solomon Islands (2019), and Kiribati (2019). It is not clear if Mr. John was referring to students specifically from those countries.

For St. Vincent and the Grenadines which has maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the 2025 academic year, saw thirty Vincentian students being awarded scholarships to study in Taiwan. This is in addition to those already studying there, including students who did not receive scholarships or who are continuing from previous years. Since 2004, a total of 321 Vincentian students have benefited from scholarships to Taiwan.

The ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) hold differing positions on diplomatic relations with Taiwan and Mainland China.

The ULP has insisted it will never sever ties with Taiwan, whereas the NDP has stated it would establish relations with Mainland China if it were to assume political power in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mr John emphasised that whether in agriculture, education and training support, infrastructure assistance, or other areas, “the Taiwan partnership is crucial to us.” He added, “But hear this: the NDP refused to commit to Taiwan and have previously said they would abandon them. The NDP policy is risky and dangerous for our country.”

Prime Minister Gonsalves caused a stir a few weeks ago when he publicly announced that, with future drawdowns anticipated, the country could owe Taiwan some 800 million US dollars.

Taiwan has funded major infrastructure projects including the US$28 million Terminal Building at Argyle International Airport, part-funded through a US$62–63 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of Taiwan to assist financing the Kingstown Port Modernisation Project, a US$45 million soft loan for the National Road Rehabilitation Project, the Rabacca Bridge, a US$50 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for constructing a large hotel at Mount Wynne, a $125 million loan for the construction of the Acute Care Hospital at Arnos Vale, along with various other projects in agriculture, education, and training.

Vincentians will go to the polls on Thursday, 27 November 2025, to elect a new government.

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