As all know, recently the gigantically influential nation of Chad switched recognition from the ROC to China. The KMT blamed the DPP, the DPP blamed China, and the experts blamed realpolitik.
Chad's decision to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan and reestablish links with Beijing is motivated by financial self-interest and the advantages of a relationship with a major global force, observers said on Sunday."The interest of the state outweighs all other considerations," said a senior Chadian diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.
Chad, a desperately poor country, menaced by rebellions, in conflict in different ways with neighboring Sudan and the World Bank, broke off relations with China after 25 years in favor of Taipei in 1997.
"For N'Djamena and [President Idriss] Deby [Itno], in view of the general situation it's better to have Beijing with you than against you," said a French specialist, who found nothing surprising about Chad's change of heart, other than its rapidity.
Meanwhile there will probably be retaliation.
[spokesman] Cheng made the remarks when asked to comment on a report in yesterday's Chinese-language China Times, which quoted an anonymous Cabinet source as saying that Premier Su Tseng-chang (
蘇貞昌 ) will tighten cross-strait economic and trade policy in the aftermath of the Chad setback.The report said that the opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists and the move to allow exchange of the Chinese yuan in Taiwan proper would be the first things to suffer.
Taipei's oil links to Chad will probably not be affected. Chad otherwise is of no consequence, and Taiwan's really important ties, those to the US and Japan, remain strong.
No, the real loser here isn't Taiwan, it's the United States. Our criminal invasion of Iraq, the contraction of our diplomatic and military efforts elsewhere in the world, and the consequent loss of influence, is helping China gain great influence in Africa and elsewhere. Chad by itself doesn't mean much, but it signals the continued advance of a trend.
[Taiwan] [US] [China] [US Foreign Policy]
[Chad] [Africa]
Very interesting last paragraph. While the US is using hard strength to stir up the hornets nest in the Middle East, China is using soft strength to spread its influence somewhat under the radar in Africa.
ReplyDeleteNice.....Mod_Meph.
ReplyDeleteNo, the loser is not Taiwan, because ”…Taiwan’s really important ties, those to the US and Japan, remain strong”, but Chad. For a quick reminbi, Chad’s people will suffer from “Dutch disease”: petro-corruption, bad governance, invasions from its neighbors, and civil war, followed by the Malthusian hosts of famine and other environmental plagues. ”…Beijing’s unconditional investments across Africa could feed violence or prop up authoritarian leaders, much as they have in Burma, Laos, and other Asian nations where China has become the main external power. Just ask Darfurians where that can lead.”