Taiwan's foreign minister, vice premier and vice defence minister have resigned in the fallout from a $30 million embezzlement scandal.

The money was to be used to try to win over Papua New Guinea, in a botched attempt at chequebook diplomacy.

It is alleged to have been pocketed by two businessmen acting as secret intermediaries.

Taiwan's foreign minister, James Huang, has joined the vice premier, Chiou I-jen, and vice defence minister, Ko Chen-heng, in resigning, taking responsibility for the scandal.

Vice Premier Chiou says he still hopes to be proven innocent.

PNG minister re-iterates support for China
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea's foreign minister, Sam Abal, says he has seen media reports of the affair and has asked his secretary to investigate.

He says Taiwanese investigators have not approached the Papua New Guinea government over the scandal.

Mr Abal says he has not been approached by Taiwanese officials either.

He re-iterated Papua New Guinea's support for the One China Policy and its long-standing recognition of the People's Republic of China.

Our China correspondent, Stephen McDonell, reports the Chinese government has responded saying Taiwan is a rogue province and the island currently only has 23, mostly small, countries recognising it.

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