Beijing ‘flexible’ in courting Taiwan allies as Haiti, St Lucia attend mainland forum

The Caribbean countries are among handful of nations with formal Taipei ties, but presence in Beijing signals pragmatism, analysts say

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Haiti’s foreign minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste attends the plenary session of the China-Celac Forum ministerial meeting in Beijing, China on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:00pm, 17 May 2025Updated: 6:25pm, 17 May 2025

Two countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan sent delegations to a high-level forum in Beijing earlier this week, highlighting mainland China’s flexible approach to courting Taipei’s few remaining official partners, according to analysts.

Representatives from Haiti and St Lucia, two Caribbean countries that are among Taiwan’s 12 formal allies, attended the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) Forum on Tuesday, raising concerns about growing diplomatic pressure from Beijing, which says the island is an inalienable part of China.

According to analysts, the presence of the two Caribbean nations at the forum suggests Beijing has taken a “flexible approach” in dealing with countries that recognise Taiwan. One observer said that participation in the event did not “necessarily indicate a shift in allegiance”, noting a trend among many countries towards more pragmatic diplomacy.

At the venue on Tuesday, the flags of Haiti and St Lucia were seen in the main plenary hall, according to Reuters. The flags of Guatemala and Belize – two other Celac members that have ties with Taiwan – were not seen in the room.

Haiti and St Lucia are both members of Celac, a regional bloc with 33 member states. At the forum, Haiti was represented by foreing minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, while diplomat Peter Lansiquot attended for St Lucia.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said the two countries had notified it in advance that their officials would attend and that relations remained “friendly and stable”.

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Beijing ‘flexible’ in courting Taiwan allies as Haiti, St Lucia attend mainland forum

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Caribbean countries are among handful of nations with formal Taipei ties, but presence in Beijing signals pragmatism, analysts say

The Caribbean countries are among handful of nations with formal Taipei ties, but presence in Beijing signals pragmatism, analysts say