Costa Rica's Decision
Huge Blow to Taiwan's
International Standing
According to WorldWatch
Asia ever since Taiwan
split from mainland
China in 1949, its
status as a
semi-independent state
has hinged on the
support and recognition
it has received from its
few allies.
For over half a century,
China has been thwarted
in its goal of absorbing
Taiwan because other
nations, particularly
the United States, have
recognized Taiwan as a
self-governing nation.
But Taiwan was struck a
blow in June when its
long-time friend Costa
Rica reneged on its
support and struck up a
new friendship with
Beijing.
The primary reason for
Costa Rica’s newfound
willingness to form
relations with Beijing
was to bolster its
economy by tapping into
some of China’s extra
cash. “We are looking to
strengthen the
commercial ties and
attract investment,”
President Oscar Arias
said. “China is the most
successful emerging
economy in the world and
soon it will be the
second strongest economy
in the world …” added
Arias to his comments in
the first week of June.
Despite its divorce from
Costa Rica, Taiwan
continues to be
recognized by 24
nations.
But the Taiwanese are
concerned that other
Latin American nations
may follow Costa Rica’s
example and chase
Chinese cash.
In the wake of Costa
Rica’s turnabout,
Taiwan’s Foreign
Minister James Huang
told his embassies in
Latin America to
reaffirm ties with their
host nations, and take
“extreme precautions
against any further
pressure by the Chinese
communists”. At the same
time, China also
responded to Costa
Rica’s decision by
urging other allies of
Taiwan to follow Costa
Rica’s lead and sever
their relationships with
the island.
Analyst Andrew Yang of
the Taipei-based Chinese
Council of Advanced
Policy Studies warned
that the decision by
Costa Rica was indeed a
huge blow to Taiwan’s
international standing,
and would likely create
a chain reaction among
at least a portion of
its seven remaining
Latin American allies.
“Probably Nicaragua and
Panama are next and then
maybe Paraguay,” he said
(ibid.).
As small nations such as
Costa Rica recognize the
economic and political
benefits that come from
having a close
friendship with China,
expect them to distance
themselves from Taipei
and draw closer to
Beijing.
Also, according to
WorldWatch, U.S. support
of Taiwan is expected to
weaken as it
increasingly becomes
distracted by other
international pressures
and internal division.
This will inevitably
lead to Taiwan being
taken over by Communist
China. |
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