There have been media reports recently about a possible shift in Taiwan-Macedonia relations, once again giving rise to doubts about Taiwan's economic and trade diplomacy. In fact, this latest crisis over ties is just another negative effect of the money diplomacy that has plagued Taiwan.
From the Papua New Guinea diplomatic scandal, which was listed as one of the top 10 international scandals in 1999, to the negative Nicaraguan media reports about President Chen Shui-bian's (
Due to globalization, official exchanges based on statehood and national sovereignty are gradually being replaced by a civic power that transcends national, ethnic and cultural boundaries. This power is taking shape in the form of cooperation between non-governmental organizations or NGOs. Gradually, civic organizations will take part in diplomatic exchanges.
In the era of authoritarian rule, Taiwan's societal power was repressed by martial law and related policies. There were also draconian restrictions on setting up organizations. Since the lifting of martial law, however, civic organizations have blossomed. Today, more than 3,700 civic organizations are in operation. If they can link up and cooperate with foreign civic organizations, they may be able to provide more flexible diplomatic space for Taiwan. A considerable number of civic organizations are already working in this area. For example, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation (慈濟公德會), Taipei Overseas Peace Service (台北海外和服務團) and the Eden Social Welfare Foundation (伊甸社會福利基金會) have been providing services internationally in the areas of disaster relief, reconstruction, medicare and vocational training.
Every country has its own unique culture and lifestyle, but consensus and mutual sympathy can be found amid those differences. For example, Macedonia has long been ravaged by war, which gives rise to separated families, refugees and orphans. Taiwan's NGOs can help alleviate these problems through an international child adoption program. They can also cooperate with international organizations to provide medical services and food. Macedonia is also a multi-ethnic society, where wars mostly have their roots in ethnic misunderstandings and hate. Taiwan can cooperate with local schools and NGOs to help educate the local population on basic values such as mutual respect and human dignity, thereby indirectly promoting the possibility of dialogue and peaceful solutions. Peace and its promotion are concepts that know no national boundaries.
The future of Taiwan's diplomacy does not necessarily have to be bound to the painful struggles of business and trade diplomacy. By starting from understanding the local history and cultures, and developing NGO exchanges that are relevant to the local people and the situation, we can generate a sense of community that transcends national boundaries.
The establishment of relations between Taiwan and Macedonia does not have to be limited to the official, political or economic levels. NGOs can cooperate with each other. The government can play a supportive but non-interfering role. Long-term non-official contact can generate sympathy toward Taiwan among the Macedonian people. In the long run, public opinion supportive of Taiwan may expand from the bottom up and become a potential influence on the policies of the Macedonian government, thereby promoting friendship. This can also become a new model for expanding Taiwan's diplomatic development.
Chien Hsi-chieh is a legislator and executive director of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan.
Translated by Francis Huang
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