Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was to embark on a diplomatic tour of Latin America, but has since canceled it after Washington opposed the plan to have a layover in New York. The matter, which reflects how Taipei’s jittery maneuver between global powers, was the reason for the cancellation of a trip initially meant to visit two Latin American countries, i.e., Guatemala and Paraguay, that are, on Taiwan’s side, the region’s principal remaining allies.
The former allied countries’ visit was aimed at rebranding and the ties were fading in the local diplomatic field. But the confusion about Lai’s intended American stopover finally brought the plan into disorder. Taiwan’s government had considered the New York transit a gesture similar to past presidents’ rest stops. On the other hand, the U.S. officials, apprehensive that tensions between China and the U.S. might escalate, suggested not making this move. A few sources close to the US administration mentioned that Washington responded that a brief public appearance in New York could likely anger Beijing, from where they usually criticize such acts as legitimizing Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Within just a few months of taking office, Lai has found himself trapped between two forces. While he is following the policy of Taiwan staying with the status quo – not officially declaring independence – still, Beijing goes on to characterize his administration as leaning toward separation. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are playing the delicate game of managing their tough relationship with China as they are restarting trade and military dialogues.
Eventually, they made the decision to completely abandon the trip. Some pro-Taiwan legislators considered the trip cancellation a political capitulation. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party, representative of Lai’s party, stated, “Why does it have to be like this? Why would our president be treated like a problem to the political system?” This appeasement sort of thing will only give the bullies more reason to press against us.”
On the contrary, Beijing, while congratulating the U.S. for its decision, referred to Washington’s “self-control” and accused Lai of “playing with fire” as by doing so, he was trying to get international recognition.
The cancellation of the tour has ignited a debate in Taiwan, which is very intense and divided. While some claim that the trip disappearance was the wisest decision as it would have caused diplomatic problems, others think it is a sign of weakness and the island’s solitary plight that this decision has been made.
The president first made the point that he was dissatisfied with the turn of events, but at the same time, he said that the island’s diplomacy will not come to an end. “Our partnership with the world is still very much alive, even if we were not able to go,” he explained.
However, the affair raises an uncomfortable question: if such a stopover is under such global watch, how is there still room for Taiwan to show or even just exist?
