Asia-Pacific News
Taiwan condemns China for wooing over Costa Rica (Roundup)
Jun 7, 2007, 13:07 GMT
Taipei - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on Thursday condemned China for wooing over Taipei's diplomatic ally Costa Rica, and urged the Taiwanese people to unite in the fight for national sovereignty and dignity.
Chen said China has never stopped suppressing Taiwan or stopped trying to snatch away Taiwan's diplomatic allies.
Since he came to power in 2000, Chen said, Taiwan had been fighting diplomatic battles against China every day. He warned Taiwanese to realize China's resolve to strangle Taiwan's survival and not harbour illusions that China would treat Taiwan well if a pro-unification person won Taiwan's presidential election in 2008.
'Besides the increasing military threat, China has also stepped up efforts to suppress Taiwan and strangle our international survival. Our compatriots should unite behind the government's fight for Taiwan's dignity,' he said.
Costa Rica cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan late Wednesday to recognize China, putting an end to their diplomatic relationship spanning 63 years.
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias made the announcement cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan late Wednesday in San Jose.
'It was the moment to take this decision. China is a reality that we can no longer ignore,' Arias said, adding that the Central American nation would continue unofficial ties with Taiwan.
After learning of Costa Rica's decision, Taiwan on Thursday morning cut diplomatic ties with Costa Rica and condemned China's 'suppressing Taiwan's space for international activities.'
At a news conference, Foreign Minister James Huang said Taipei deeply regretted Costa Rica's dropping Taiwan to recognize Beijing and announced the termination of all cooperation projects.
He also blasted Costa Rica for lying to Taipei about its plans to launch ties with China.
'Costa Rica Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno flew to Beijing on May 29 and on June 1 signed the communique on establishing ties, but he told us he was going to visit the US,' Huang said.
In the past few days, Stagno had reassured Taiwan several times that his country would remain loyal to Taipei.
'Only after our repeated requests, Stagno agreed to talk to us on the phone at 4 am Thursday to admit having opened ties with China,' he said, calling Costa Rica's deceiving Taiwan 'despicable.'
China and Costa Rice signed the joint communique on opening ties on June 1, but agreed to announce the decision on June 7.
The communique was signed by Stagno and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
It said: 'The Costa Rican government recognizes that there is only one China in the world, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory.'
Costa Rica switched ties as it is seeking China's backing for a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and aid from the world's new economic superpower.
To shoulder responsibility for losing Costa Rica to China, Huang offered to resign, but President Chen rejected the offer.
'The foreign ministry has tried its best to save ties, so it is not their fault,' Chen said.
Chen said Costa Rica spent a lot of cash to win over Costa Rica, but Taiwan does not want to compete with China.
Costa Rica's move also shocked Taiwan's pro-unification opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou, who has a good chance of winning the 2008 presidential election.
Ma said he deeply regrets Costa Rica's move, but he believes it is a result of both China's suppressing Taiwan and Taiwan's provoking Beijing.
'Taiwan must develop a method for flexible diplomacy. On the one hand we must tell China that suppression won't help bilateral ties, on the other hand we must make contact and hold talks with China,' he said.
Costa Rica's diplomatic switch has further isolated Taiwan, which is now recognized by only 24 mostly small countries, half in Latin America, including four in Central America.
To save ties with the remaining diplomatic allies, President Chen and Vice President Annette Lu plan to visit Latin America in the upcoming months, the China Times reported.
Lu plans to visit Paraguay for national day celebrations in July and Chen plans to visit Central American allies in August to attend the annual Taiwan-Central American leaders' summit, the daily said.
Taiwan analysts are worried that Costa Rica's recognition of China could have a domino effect on Taiwan's remaining six Central American allies - Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize.
Nicaragua's Sandinista President Daniel Ortega had hinted at switching alliances from Taiwan to China at the beginning of the year. However, the two countries reaffirmed ties late May.
Since 2001, China has wooed over eight of Taiwan's diplomatic allies from Taiwan - Macedonia (2001), Nauru (2002, but resumed ties with Taiwan in 2005), Liberia (2003), Dominica (2004), Grenada (2005), Senegal (2005), Chad (2006) and Costa Rica (2007).
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
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Yes, what has happened to us in the US? Why aren't we more supportive of a democratic and sovereign Taiwan? Why is Senator Feinstein saying we don't have to honor the Taiwan relations act? I know democrats aren't big supporter's of democracy, but where are the hawkish republicans on this? Everyone too busy shopping at Wal Mart? We just keep watching as Taiwan loses its sovereignty to China. IF we don't stand up for Taiwan's democracy, then America no loner stands up for democracy! How much attention have we paid to Iraq's democracy? It's sad that a long time ally like Taiwan we are leaving hanging in the wind! Sad sad sad
Funny...Some citizens under the government of father and son, husband and wife for half a century claim responsibility of far away regions and kill people, set fire, topple governments in order to popularize some D-initial words. So how does it spell? Drift?
What exactly does Costa Rica and China have anything to do with US morals?
I believe these statements are misplaced and should have at least something to do with the issue at hand.
Someone reports that something bad is happening and all you have to say is the US doesn't care, and that it's sad. Who are you to say the US doesn't care, last time I checked there wasn't a general consensus on this matter.
Anyway, back to the topic.
Costa Rica made a poor decision in breaking ties with Taiwan.
My main question would be why must they break ties with Taiwan in order to create ties in China. Is this truely something that China is doing, or is it something that Costa Rica did by itself?
Idiots - the US' backing of Taiwan has nothing to do with 'democracy' or 'brutal communist governements'. The US' relations with China and Taiwan is and has always been about money. The US backed the loser in a civil war & has continued to sell weapons to Taiwan for almost 60 years. The opening of China was necessary because both Taiwan and the US could make more money through the transfer of labor to the mainland.
Taiwan never should have been recognized as the US never should have gotten involved on one side of a civil war 1/2way around the world. 'There is but one China and Taiwan is a part of China.' It didn't take the US' blessing in 1972 to validate this - it was simply a recognition of the US' failure in backing the loser in China's civil war.
I totally agree with bob
If I remember correctly, one of the reasons why the civil war started was that the leader of the faction which ultimately fled to taiwan supported the Japanese in world war II, and their pro-Hitler and pro-Genocide policies. It was the Mao supporters who were working with the USA against Japan (there are tons of photos and documents supporting this).
Then, the USA switched sides, to make some money.
Now, the USA lies about China constantly, to make its own suppressive policies and attempts at global military domination supreme.
This makes sense, given that there has only been one China (of which xiao fujian [taiwan]) has been a part for more than 2000 years.
If we want to talk about fairness, how about Japan conceed half of its total land area to China, and another 1/2 of what is left to Korea for their brutal Holocaust.
How about taiwan be fully reintegrated back into China?
How about the USA stop its massive weapons sales all over the globe?
I am glad that Costa Rica has finally seen the light and is returning to the modern world.
I may finally now go there to see its natural beauty!
Beijing would love these quotes:
''This makes sense, given that there has only been one China (of which xiao fujian [taiwan]) has been a part for more than 2000 years.''
Yes, but that China was not run by the communist party.
''How about taiwan be fully reintegrated back into China?''
Or conversely, mainland China reintegrated back into non-communist China? (Hong-Kong sadly went the other direction)
For that Chinese person who posted a few slots higher. I just want you to know that many people in the rest of the world do not consider Taiwan to be a part of China. Being raised in the US, I believe that Taiwan is it's own country and that should it want to be independent, it should be allowed to be so.
Taiwan has also not been part of China for 2000 years. Not sure where you are getting your information from, although it is probably from Beijing.
The few times that I have been to China I have been disgusted by how brainwashed the people seem when it comes to Hong Kong, Taiwna, and their sovereignty.
If the Taiwanese truly wish to be independent, I believe that is their choice and whatever they decide should be allowed. Beijing should accept this.
All is not lost here for Taiwan. China is still losing one fundamental battle: It doesn't have DIRECT CONTROL over Taiwan. What Taiwan needs to do is simply declare according to its own constitution that it is indeed a sovereign nation. The problem here lies in Taiwan itself. Taiwan's own Republic of China Constitution states that ROC includes all of China, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, and Taiwan itself.
The reality is far from true. So Taiwan needs to amend its constitution and recognize that it is indeed Taiwan. The ROC should no longer be Taiwan's official name. The reason why Taiwan hasn't changed its official name is because Chen is abiding by his promise not to. But due to diplomatic aggression from China, Taiwan needs to move forward and declare itself a nation under the name 'Taiwan'.
Most countries around the world recognize one China. The problem here is that Taiwan's own constitution STILL disputes that claim. I am sure that Taiwanese officials are already well aware of this issue. Taiwan really needs to 'KNOW' who they are before they fight to join international organizations.
Of course there are risks, but in my view, the only way Taiwan can fully secure its sovereignty is not only thru military defense or the United States, but through a recognition in Taiwan through its own constitution that Taiwan is indeed Taiwan and that its territories include only Taiwan and the Pescadores islands. As for Kinmen and Matsu, those residents should be given a choice to be a part of Taiwan given their very close proximity to China.
Taiwan is not a Republic of China. You can't have two nations under the name 'China'. There is indeed only one China, but there is also ONE TAIWAN. So this is just a thoughtful comment on my part.
As for the U.S., Americans clearly need to recognize that our American values should always come first before economic gain. China is growing economically, but we shouldn't throw away our values. A good example for America would be St. Lucia who switched recognition to Taiwan based on friendship and trust, not money. Money can't buy trust or friendship. You have to earn it.
By the way I am a black/Native American who strongly supports Taiwan. ^____^
All this is water under the bridge .The fact that the people in China chose communism during and after the civil war is their right .What happened afterwards is that the losing fraction fled to Taiwan and claimed to be the only legal representative of the Chinese people ?Any idea gow ridiculous that was ?Imagine for a split second that all the rednceks and hillbilies from the USA gather in Harris County ,Texas ,proclamate their independance and at the same time proudly announce to be the only legal representator of the american people .How would that appear to the rest of the woeld?As a farce ?
It looks like there're quite a bit of confusion regarding history. First of all, I have no knowledge that Taiwan was part of China throughout the 2000 years history. Second, I think people needs to put history in perspective.
To me, there was only one big difference between the Korean and the Chinese Civil War. That is: UN decided to interevene the Korean War to prevent further spread of communism. US didn't really support KMT other than give Chiang Kai Shek couple million dollars. Russians were supplying Mao with their weapons. Therefore, to say that Taiwan should not be recognized is almost the same as saying South Korea is not a country. I believe the primary reason Nixon engaged China in 1972 was mostly due to the fact that US wants to use China to go against Soviet. It was not because of the transferring labor. At least not at that time.
The problem with Taiwan is their constitution is outrageously outdated and needs to be revised. Because if they don't, it will only be a matter of time before all of its allies switch their recognition due to economic reasons.
Of course, if we go back to, say 1969, in which Taiwan had 67 allies and a permanent seat in UN, it was in a perfect position to declared independence and we wouldn't even have issues today. But Chiang was never going to allow that to happen as he wants to retake the mainland. Since Taiwan is a democracy now, people should start debating whether or not Chiang had the right to represent the people because he obvious did not ask people's opinion about the future of Taiwan. Because if you think Chiang did not have the right, then the 23 million citizens should start thinking about independence. In my opionion, there is no such thing as 'status quo'. They don't exist and are meant to trick people. And staying in so called 'status quo' would only mean being increasingly isolated around the world. In the end, I believe the term 'one china' is truly ridiculous. Whether or not this is reality is beside the point. The way I look at it, the true REALITY is that China has NO JURISDICTION over Taiwan!
If we learn anything about history of mankind, it is that it really is about power and I believe Taiwan needs to build its own nuclear weapon as an insurance policy. Otherwise, you can never negotiate with mainland knowing that you don't have much leverage.
1) Apparently, US goverment don't like any other countries to build nuke. unless taiwan is able to build without US knowing. 2) US goverment doesn't care democracy on other countries as long as they have no threats(military and finanically). Saudi Arabi is an alliance of US. However, Iran is the enemy of US, yet Iranian elected their president. 3) US Enemy's enemy is a friend of US. Back then, when US was fighting with japan in WWII, US helped China. And US is now fighting with Taliban, US makes friend with Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Therefore, US make friends with Taiwan. It is a good chance for US to make money from Taiwan. And more importantly, making China to waste resources on this matter.
Please read a history book about the US in the 20th century before formulating your ideas on China/Taiwan - preferably one not written by the US.
'Being raised in the US, I believe that Taiwan is it's own country and that should it want to be independent, it should be allowed to be so.'
Do you believe that (South) Vietnam should have been allowed to be its own country and independent? The US seemed to have a problem with that and did everything in their power to back one side of a conflict.
I was raised in the US, too, fortunately I learned to think and while I don't have a problem with peoples seeking independence I have a huge problem with 60 years of the US supplying military aid to Taiwan while claiming that China is 'the bad guy'. I also have a huge problem with the US getting involved militarily in situations where they should at best be diplomatic players.
'As for the U.S., Americans clearly need to recognize that our American values should always come first before economic gain. China is growing economically, but we shouldn't throw away our values. A good example for America would be St. Lucia who switched recognition to Taiwan based on friendship and trust, not money. Money can't buy trust or friendship. You have to earn it.'
What does that mean?! What exactly are 'American values' as they apply to Taiwan? We wanted Chang Kai Shek to win the civil war in part because we were afraid of Communism and the spread of communism from the USSR. Well guess what, China is completely different than the USSR and has proven itself to be a unique situation since its establishment in 1949. To say that Taiwan and 'American values' don't have to do with money is complete ignorance. The US poured money into Taiwan from 1949-1972 (when Nixon visited China & China was recognized by the US in 1979). Of course this didn't stop Reagan & Bush Sr. from selling ~$5 billion in jets to Taiwan in the '80s and then another $5.8 billion deal in 1992 for 150 F-16 jets. And these deals had nothing to do with money, right?
So your 'American values' support tens of billions of dollars in arms sales to one side of a potental conflict? You must have loved it when the US supported Iran with their 'American values' & money in the '70s/80s - and when the US supported Saddam Hussein in Iraq in the 80s against Iran. Great 'values' there. The only reason the US doesn't sell military directly to China is because Taiwan would stop buying from them. Otherwise I'm sure the US would send weapons to both sides of this conflict just as they have before.
McCarthyism ended nearly 60 years ago and yet people still treat China & communism as words that should be spoken in a hush. It seems that even today nobody bothers to find out what was really going on in Asia in the second half of the 20th century and what's really going on now. Do me a favor - research the number of wars that the US has stuck their nose in since the end of WWII and the number that China has been involved with. Then ask yourself who the world should be afraid of - China and its potential to 'spread communism' or the US and its militarization and imperialism around the globe.
If these are the 'American values' that you support then fine, but they're not my values and I'm ashamed of the US' actions. You may also want to specifically look at China/Taiwan, Korea, India/Pakistan, Iran/Iraq & think about who the US is backing at various times & why.
You guys are missing ONE major point...
Japan NEVER CESSION Taiwan to China....Nor did international law indicated Taiwan is Part of China.
the only document, insinuating this 'though' was infact a 'communique' or news briefing. Now the funny parts is.. Gen Chiang Kai Shik, was ORDER by Gen. McAruther to occupied Tawian under the League of Nations (or fore runner of UN)
therefore Taiwan, infact it is STILL UNDER US MILITARY COMMAND or Jurisdiction.
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SadJun 7th, 2007 - 13:59:02
Where did our values go? I remember when we used to stand up against brutal communist governments. Now, as long as we can get cheap labor and products it all seems fine.
We've become morally bankrupt. And as the US becomes oppressive, we no longer have a leg to stand on in challenging China or Russia or anyone.
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