As China is strengthening its influence in the UN and other international organizations, as well as rallying some authoritarian nations to counter democratic nations, democratic nations need to cooperate more closely.
For example, democratic countries could help poor nations solve economic problems as a mean to strengthen the latter's democracies. This would help keep these poor countries from being divided by China. China is gradually elbowing out US influence in some international organizations, as evident by the US' loss of its seat in the UN Human Rights Commission. Therefore, the US has to find a new way to expand its international influence. The US must develop regional economic organizations in response to China's increasing threats. Of course, such tasks cannot be achieved overnight.
Taiwan has always had diplomatic ties with some Latin American nations. Therefore increasing Taiwan's participation in Latin American regional economic organizations was naturally a topic of discussion during President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) recent trip to the region. Efforts in this regard will become important elements of Taiwan's diplomacy.
Due the fundamentally different concepts upon which regional organizations derives, rivalry between regional organizations inevitably emerged. The US has tried not to regard Russia as its enemy as it adjusts its global strategy. Should this strategy work, China will become the most isolated major player in the world. The cost to China of maintaining its corrupt authoritarian rule and ceding territory to neighbors will be high.
Paul Lin is a political commentator currently based in New York.
Translated by Jackie Lin
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