Taiwan officials in New York on United Nations charm offensive
The self-ruled island hopes to take advantage of perceived support from the United States in its latest bid to rejoin the world body
Taiwan is launching a fresh charm offensive in its bid to rejoin the United Nations, or at least its agencies, amid sour China-US relations and growing concerns over Chinese economic and military expansion in the Indo-Pacific region.
Two of the self-ruled island’s cabinet officials – Environmental Protection Administration deputy minister Thomas Chan and State Minister Audrey Tang – have flown to New York to promote Taiwan’s achievement of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), even though the island is not a UN member.
“Chan will brief participants on Taiwan’s accomplishments over the past year in meeting the SDGs, at a seminar jointly organised by our representative office in New York, the Marshall Islands government, and Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society,” Taiwan’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Tang will deliver a speech on Thursday at a digital forum, jointly organised by Taiwan’s representative office in New York and Columbia University, on how Taiwan is using digital technology and social innovative measures to put SDGs into practice, according to the ministry.
The two officials would take part in several other activities while in New York to promote Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to UN sustainable developments, global health and climate areas, it said.
Meanwhile, the legislature has also sent four lawmakers to New York to promote the island’s cause, while several of Taiwan’s NGOs will hold activities during the UN General Assembly meeting between Tuesday and October 1.
The island’s timing of its latest lobbying is deemed optimal after the US – already in a trade war with China – rebuked Beijing for its diplomatic squeeze of Taiwan, in a sign of its support for Taipei, observers said.
Although it would be unlikely for the UN to readmit Taipei, the observers said the island should be able to gain more sympathy and support from other countries.