ROC & PRC Checkbook Diplomacy

♠ Posted by Emmanuel in at 6/08/2007 12:18:00 AM
The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan have engaged in a back-and-forth battle over diplomatic recognition of the "Republic of China"--Taiwan's official name. Of course, China does not establish official ties with countries that recognize Taiwan. These two countries have been waging checkbook diplomacy over the years to woo countries into their respective diplomatic folds. The big shoe dropped in 1979 when the United States recognized the PRC. Since then, Taiwan has still been keen on opening its purse to maintain its small contingent of countries that recognize it. Just recently, Taiwan lost Costa Rica's recognition. To no one's surprise, it's all about the money--PRC money. Lest you think this matter is a minor symbolic loss, Taiwan's foreign minister is offering to resign over it for more Latin countries may follow suit:

China nudged closer to victory in its 58-year diplomatic arm wrestle with Taiwan today, as it emerged that Costa Rica has switched allegiance from Taipei to Beijing.

The shift - which was prompted by Costa Rica's desire to tap into the world's fastest growing economy - underscores China's growing muscle in global affairs.

Taiwan and China have been tussling for recognition since 1949, when Mao Zedong's communist forces drove the Kuomintang government across the Strait.

By 1955, only 23 states had established diplomatic relations with Beijing. But with the latest switch, 170 nations now recognise the communist government. Democratic, self-ruled Taiwan, meanwhile, has seen its support dwindle to just 24 mostly small, poor nations.

Both sides offer generous incentives for countries to swap allegiances, prompting some to switch more than once. Earlier this year, St Lucia - population 168,000 - moved back into the Taiwan camp, prompting Beijing to immediately withdraw its embassy and cut funding for a cultural centre and psychiatric centre.

The long-term trend, however, shows the gravitational pull of the mainland has grown stronger as its economy and trade flows increase at double digit pace...

Taiwan's foreign minister, James Huang, offered to resign over the loss of another ally. "We tried our very best to try and maintain ties with Costa Rica, but eventually we failed," he told reporters. "This is not something that a country which stands for peace and democracy should do, cut ties with its partner of 60 years." China denied that it had offered financial inducements, though trade between China and Costa Rica has increased more than tenfold since 2001.

Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman at the Chinese foreign ministry, urged other nations in South and Central America, including Panama and Nicaragua, to recognise Beijing. She said they should "follow the tide of history and make the correct choice".

The following are Taiwan's Double Dozen remaining allies according to Reuters. With China waving wads of cash in their faces, perhaps it's only the Vatican that remains safely in Taiwan's camp:

SOUTH PACIFIC (6)

Republic of the Marshall Islands
Republic of Nauru
Republic of Palau
Republic of Kiribati
Solomon Islands
Tuvalu

NOTE: Taiwan's Foreign Ministry dropped Republic of Vanuatu from the list after the island nation established formal ties with China, even though Vanuatu did not formally break off ties with Taiwan.

AFRICA (5)
Burkina Faso
Republic of the Gambia
Republic of Malawi
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Kingdom of Swaziland

EUROPE (1)
Vatican

LATIN AMERICA (12)
Belize
Dominican Republic
Republic of El Salvador
Republic of Guatemala
Republic of Haiti
Republic of Honduras
Republic of Nicaragua
Republic of Panama
Republic of Paraguay
Saint Christoper and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Lucia (resumption on April 30, 2007)