Taiwan has recalled its representative to the Philippines over Manila's decision to extradite 14 Taiwanese citizens to face criminal prosecution in China.
Manila's Feb. 2 move caused great consternation in Taipei because it appeared to suggest that China — and not Taiwan itself — has jurisdiction over the Taiwanese.
In a statement late Monday, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry called the decision "inappropriate" and announced that it was canceling preferential visa treatment for Philippine nationals.
China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing claims the democratic island as its own and rejects any notion that its de facto independence imbues it with national sovereignty.
The 14 Taiwanese are suspected of committing fraud against Chinese nationals.
