Grenadian leader Keith Mitchell's trip to China has been criticised by Taiwanese officials and members of the opposition. Prime Minister Mitchell is in Beijing seeking funds to rebuild his hurricane-ravaged island. But his trip to Beijing has fuelled speculation that Grenada might break diplomatic ties with Taiwan and forge new links with China. Mr Mitchell's visit has drawn strong criticism from a Grenadian independent opposition senator who told BBC Caribbean Radio that the Grenada leader's actions will create a diplomatic whirlwind. "Keith Mitchell was a proponent of the 'Two China' policy which defines Taiwan as an independent and sovereign state," Mr Humphreys said. "Mitchell has gone to the UN on several occasions and made that declaration and has been a representative of the two policy idea." Mr Humphreys believes the fallout from Mr Mitchell's move will be severe, an in the long run Grenada will not benefit. Hampering relations He said that the Chinese government will not trust Mr Mitchell because of his foreign policy u-turn. Mr Humphreys said that Grenada's situation was different from Dominica which also cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March. "As far as Prime Minister Skerrit was concerned, he was not a proponent of the two China policy so they brought their foreign policy in line with their philosophical and other outlooks," he said. "Keith Mitchell on the other hand has abandoned this simply because he wants cash." Taiwanese officials have expressed their concerns about Prime Minister Mitchell's trip, and have said it will hamper relations between Grenada and the Republic of China on Taiwan. A press release issued on Tuesday said since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1989, Taiwan has provided assistance to Grenada in diverse areas including financial grants and soft loans, infrastructure, education, health and agriculture. "The Prime Minister's visit to Communist China has not only hurt the emotions of the people and Government of Taiwan, but also seriously damaged the cordial friendship between the Republic of China on Taiwan and Grenada," the release said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said he hoped Grenada and China will establish diplomatic relations. He also said the only precondition for this was Grenada cutting ties with Taiwan. Prime Minister Mitchell was accompanied to Grenada by a delegation which includes Foreign Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod and Ian DaBreo, President of the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association. Reprinted from bbccaribbean.com