China is taking advantage of declining US influence in Central and Latin America to woo Taiwan's remaining allies in the region, analysts in Taipei said.
They said that Washington's historic sway in the region had helped Taipei fend off Beijing's diplomatic offensives in the past, notably during the Cold War.
But falling US influence and creeping anti-Americanism in countries such as Nicaragua and Venezuela, combined with China's surging economy, has now left several allies pondering where their allegiance should lie, they warned.
"In the past, the United States did not want its back yard falling into the hands of communists," said Liu Bi-rung (
"That factor, to some extent, was taken into consideration by the countries there as they evaluated their ties with Beijing. But no more," Liu said.
Central and Latin America have been a diplomatic battleground for decades between Taiwan and China.
Thirteen Central American nations recognize Taiwan.
"Now any country in that region is aware that if it is to play a regional role or develop its economy, it has to maintain some kind of connection with China," said George Tsai (
Faced with a choice of Taipei and Beijing, "it has had to choose Beijing," he said.
China flexed its growing diplomatic muscle earlier this month when it blocked Taipei's bid to join the WHO on the grounds that it was "not a proper country."
What caused the most consternation in Taipei was that out of its 25 diplomatic allies, only 17 supported its bid.
Costa Rica, for its part, voted against it and Panama and Nicaragua abstained.
Duly alarmed, Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (
Another worry for Taipei was that out of its eight Central American allies attending a meeting of foreign ministers in Belize last week, only Belize and the Dominican Republic sent their actual foreign ministers.
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador downgraded their representation to the level of deputy foreign minister.
Panama sent its ambassador to El Salvador.
"We regret that," foreign ministry spokesman David Wang (
The eight signed a communique pledging to back Taipei in the international community, a statement released by the foreign ministry said.
Soochow University's Liu said that the joint communique meant little and could not be translated into diplomatic support.
He said that some of Taiwan's Latin American allies were using the diplomatic tug-of-war between Taipei and Beijing as leverage.
Taiwan and China have frequently accused each other of using "checkbook diplomacy" to lure the other's allies in a long-running battle for diplomatic supremacy on the world stage.
Unable to compete with China's deep pockets, "time is not on Taipei's side," Liu said.
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
COOLING OFF: Temperatures are expected to fall to lows of about 20°C on Sunday and possibly 18°C to 19°C next week, following a wave of northeasterly winds on Friday The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Sunday forecast more rain and cooler temperatures for northern Taiwan this week, with the mercury dropping to lows of 18°C, as another wave of northeasterly winds sweeps across the country. The current northeasterly winds would continue to affect Taiwan through today, with precipitation peaking today, bringing increased rainfall to windward areas, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng (劉沛滕) said. The weather system would weaken slightly tomorrow before another, stronger wave arrives on Friday, lasting into next week, Liu said. From yesterday to today, northern Taiwan can expect cool, wet weather, with lows of 22°C to 23°C in most areas,
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
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