It's WHO time again...and AFP reports on Taiwan's frustration with "friendly" nations...Taiwan said it expected the United States to lead a push for observer status for the island at the World Health Organization (WHO) despite China's persistent opposition.In recent years Australia has been trying to put an end to Taiwan's dollar diplomacy, claiming it is corrupting governments in the region. This may well be true. But by putting pressure on Taiwan, the Aussies essentially cede the region to Beijing, since Beijing isn't going to stop. Apparently Aussie foreign policy analysts believe it is better to have Beijing's influence in their backyard than Taiwan's. Be careful what you wish for.....
Joseph Wu, Taiwan's de facto envoy in Washington, said he expected "very clear support" from the United States, Japan and Canada for Taiwan's observer status with European nations, Australia and New Zealand pushing for "meaningful participation" in the organization.
But none of the countries support Taiwan's membership in WHO, he told reporters ahead of the May 19-24 annual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the WHO, whose 192 member countries meet once a year to agree on policies and appoint a director-general.
But addressing "chequebook diplomacy" is treating the symptom. Taiwan engages in dollar diplomacy because it has no other choice if it wants some kind of recognition in the world. If Australia was really interested in putting an end to Taiwan's behavior in the South Seas, it could take positive steps to support Taiwan into the WHO -- treating the cause, not the symptom. Ditto for the US. If more nations gave Taiwan their support in reasonable causes like the WHO, Taiwan would have less incentive to engage in cowboy diplomacy.
Note that the WHO meeting is May 19-24. The new President, Ma Ying-jeou, is sworn in on the 20th. Will China display benevolence? Or will they remind Ma who is really in the saddle?
UPDATE: No sooner do I get this one out, then the student paper at St. Olaf's has a piece arguing for greater US support for our democracy and for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.
UPDATE II: As several people reminded me, Chen applied under the name "Taiwan" which means that China and Ma have a ready-made excuse -- can't let "Taiwan" in. So we'll have to wait until next year, again...
[Taiwan]
Will China display benevolence? Or will they remind Ma who is really in the saddle?
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess the CCP and the KMT will blame the refusal of China on CSB's decision to use the name Taiwan for the WHO application. That allows everyone to blame the newly unpopular, PNG-tainted DPP.
Hi Michael! I have enjoyed reading your blog for some time now. I am impressed by your knowledge and professional approach to reporting on Taiwan. Regarding your latest post, might I make a small request? Could you possibly do a summary of Taiwanese changes to policy / legislation / regulation that have resulted from Taiwan's 2002 WTO accession? Cheers.
ReplyDeleteSure they'll blame CSB for using the name "Taiwan" in the application.
ReplyDeleteBut as I remember, one or two months ago the China Post worked itself into a big lather about the possibility that Chen might apply under the more "practical" name of "Chinese Taipei".
How dare the Machiavellian Chen consider such a thing! It'd be turned down, and poor Ma Ying-jeou would lose face because his "pragmatic" approach would be exposed as a failure even before he got a chance to attempt it.
(So the Post argued.)
There's just no pleasing some folks.
all diplomacy is ultimately about money anyway, so what's their problem with Taiwan?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I mistakenly placed my comment asking about WTO-based changes in your top post when it shoud have gone in "Taiwan Journal on Ma's Infrastructure Plans"
ReplyDeleteI will be more interested about what happens next year when Ma has his way about what names to use for everything. CSB's insistence in this case was a parting thumb in the eye and a refusal to be cowed. Nobody expected otherwise. I bet that behind the scenes, the KMT and the CCP have both made it known that they will not get much accomplished before June.
ReplyDeleteThis is one more reminder that Taiwan has no real friends.Even American support is questionable when sipush comes to shove.The sooner the Taiwanese understand this,the sooner they will see they have two basic alternatives.Develop an arsenal even the PRC will fear or continue to play for time while accepting that it will eventually be ruled from Beijing.
ReplyDelete