Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is set to embark on a 10-day diplomatic mission to Central America, which includes transit stops in the United States. Tsai will be visiting Guatemala and Belize on this trip, which aims to strengthen Taiwan’s relationships with its few remaining diplomatic partners in the region. The trip also provides a rare opportunity for Tsai to visit the United States, Taiwan’s most significant international ally.
China threatens retaliation if U.S. invites Tsai for official visit
However, Beijing has threatened to take “resolute countermeasures” should the Taiwanese president meet with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during her stopovers. Such a meeting would be seen by Beijing as a provocation since it would also be an expression of support for Taiwan’s independence, which China considers unacceptable.
China ramps up pressure on Taiwan
China has significantly increased diplomatic, military, and economic pressure on Taiwan in recent years, including enticing Taipei’s allies to switch their allegiance or cut ties with the island nation altogether. In response, Taiwan has sought to shore up its diplomatic partnerships with Western nations, including the United States.
U.S.-Taiwan unofficial relationship strains under China’s aggression
The US recognizes Beijing as the sole legal government of China officially but has maintained unofficial relations with Taipei under the “One China” policy. This policy allows high-ranking Taiwanese officials, including Tsai, to make routine visits to the United States. Nonetheless, Beijing has intensified its rhetoric against Taiwan and ramped up its military activity near or over the island almost daily.
Taiwan press forward despite external pressure
Undeterred by mounting external pressure, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen defended her government’s commitment to connect with the world during her stopover in New York.
Tsai met members of Congress there, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as part of her diplomatic mission. Despite China’s condemnation of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, Tsai underscored the significance of her stopover to show Taiwan’s commitment to democratic values.
Taiwan’s precarious geopolitical position
Taiwan’s growing isolation in the international arena underscores the precariousness of its geopolitical position. The island only has formal diplomatic relations with 13 countries globally, and this number has dwindled further in recent years. However, it maintains informal partnerships with many Western nations, with the United States being its most significant international ally.
While China has made similar threats to any country that could challenge its territorial claims over Taiwan, Tsai’s diplomatic mission is a critical opportunity for Taiwan to forge stronger ties abroad.
Ma Ying-jeou’s private visit to China
At the same time, former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has sparked controversy by visiting mainland China on a private trip. This move comes at a time of deepening tensions between Beijing and Taipei over the future of Taiwan, and critics have accused Ma of undermining Tsai’s government.
While both trips are politically charged and fraught with potential conflict, it remains to be seen how they will ultimately influence Taiwanese politics and its relationships with China and the United States.
The stakes for Taiwanese sovereignty
Despite mounting pressure from an increasingly assertive China, Taiwan’s government remains determined to forge meaningful relationships with other nations while maintaining its independence. The stakes for Taiwan’s sovereignty have never been higher, and it is challenging for the island nation to secure meaningful support from powerful nations abroad while under threat from an increasingly belligerent Beijing.
U.S. urged not to provoke Beijing
US officials have emphasized that there are “absolutely no reasons” for Beijing to carry out “aggressive or coercive activities” aimed at Taiwan during Tsai’s US transit. However, they have also urged Washington to avoid provocative remarks about Taiwan’s status that might provoke Beijing into taking action sooner.
It is a delicate balance that the United States must navigate if it hopes to support Taiwan’s self-defense while avoiding open conflict with China. As Tsai travels across the world on her diplomatic mission, the stakes for Taiwan and the region as a whole have never been higher.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
