China on Saturday suspended its diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia.

Chinese Ambassador to St. Lucia Gu Huaming on Saturday lodged solemn representations and strong objection to the government of St. Lucia after the Caribbean state resumed so-called "diplomatic relationship" with Taiwan.

Gu, on behalf of the Chinese government, announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with St. Lucia and the cessation of fulfilling all agreements between the governments of the two countries.

The Taiwan authorities announced Tuesday that it has resumed "diplomatic relations" with St. Lucia.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement that the resumption of "diplomatic relations" between St. Lucia and Taiwan was a flagrant violation of the declaration on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and St. Lucia.

China established diplomatic links with St. Lucia in 1997. The Caribbean island nation has a total area of 616 square kilometers and a population of 170,000.

China has recently repeated its concerns over St. Lucia's inclination to develop official links with Taiwan, which the international community recognizes as an inseparable part of China.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2007)