Beijing tells Guatemala to break ties with Taiwan as soon as possible if it wants trading relationship

The central American country’s foreign minister has said it hopes to develop a commercial relationship with mainland China
However, Beijing insists countries must accept the one-China principle and urged Guatemala to ‘make the right decision as soon as possible’

Taiwan

Liu Zhen

Published: 9:30pm, 6 Feb 2024

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Mainland China said on Tuesday that Guatemala must break up with Taiwan “as soon as possible” if it wants to develop ties with Beijing.

The central American country, one of a handful countries that still has official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, is reportedly looking to develop a trading relationship with mainland China while keeping relations with Taipei.

Guatemala to keep Taipei ties while seeking better Beijing relations

But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the one-China principle – which acknowledges Taiwan as part of China – is the fundamental basis for relations. Beijing asks all countries to choose between Beijing and Taipei under that principle.

Wang said that there are 183 countries in the world that have established diplomatic relations with Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of China and has not renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

“We hope that the new government of Guatemala will follow the historical and current trends and make the right decision in the fundamental and long-term interests of the state and people of Guatemala as soon as possible,” Wang told a press conference.

Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez told Reuters on Tuesday that his country would “continue working with Taiwan at the levels we have been doing”, but President Bernardo Arévalo, who assumed office in mid-January, “has pointed out that we cannot ignore the weight and power China represents”.

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“We are interested in approaching them to try and develop some relationship around trade,” Martinez said, saying this could materialise as an “office of trade interests” that would help find a Chinese market for Guatemalan products.

“We are making it public, this is not an ambush against Taiwan or the United States,” Martinez added.

China has in recent years increased its economic influence in Latin America, where countries have historically had close ties with the US and Taiwan.

Several countries in the region have switched loyalties to Beijing, the latest being Honduras in March 2023.

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Nauru in the South Pacific also switched recognition to Beijing last month, leaving Taipei with just 12 formal allies. The US switched recognition to Beijing in 1979 but it opposes any forcible change in the status quo and is committed to arming Taiwan to defend itself.

Taiwan has indicated that it will not engage in “chequebook diplomacy” to compete with Beijing for diplomatic recognition.