Taiwan must rethink cross-strait relations as it loses diplomatic partners
As the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China has become increasingly difficult, Beijing has continued to squeeze Taipei’s international space. And it is unrealistic to think that this will not continue
This was Beijing’s second major success recently in a diplomatic offensive in the Latin American and Caribbean region, which the United States sees as its own backyard.
So the Dominican Republic’s decision comes as a heavy blow. Analysts also see mainland China’s success in wooing the Caribbean nation with infrastructure aid as a warning to the US, which has been strengthening ties with Taiwan to counter Beijing, against using the island as a geopolitical pawn.
It is two years since Beijing resumed its diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, put on hold during the government of the mainland-friendly Kuomintang led by Ma Ying-jeou. Unlike the latter, his successor Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, refused to publicly endorse the one-China principle, an understanding that leaves each side to determine what it means. As a result relations have become increasingly difficult, with Beijing bent on further squeezing Taipei’s international space.