ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Tues. Jan. 11, 2005: The government of Grenada has received US$50, 000 from a Chinese non-governmental organization to help with relief following the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The People’s Republic of China channeled the money through the Red Cross Society from China because the government of Grenada and China do not officially have diplomatic ties. The promise of the donation was made to Minister Brenda Hood during a trip to Barbados. During that trip the minister, who is also chairperson of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency, met with the Barbados media and held discussions at the PRC Embassy in Bridgetown. Officials at the Red Cross Office in Grenada have confirmed knowing about the donation because at first, it was believed that the sum was for the local body. “On her return from the trip, Minister Hood informed us that we will be receiving the sum, but we were told differently when we made enquiries at Barbados,” said the local Red Cross official. Following a number of telephone calls to the Bridgetown Embassy, the Grenada Society was recently told that the money was intended for government and not for them. “We were told that the money was delivered because there is a receipt to prove the claim,” the officials said. Despite having diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a foe of PRC, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and a delegation, in early December, made an official trip to Beijing where he held discussion with top officials. Upon his return, he delivered a twenty minutes address, which indicated but did not confirm, that Grenada will be severing its fifteen years diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. In a news release the Taiwanese said that the move has hurt the emotions of the government and people while its foreign minister said that they were prepared for the worst. The Taiwan government have since reportedly recalled its ambassador to Grenada. Reprinted from hardbeatnews.com