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Letter from Taipei Economic and Trade Office
Taiwan knows that only development of human capital and improvement of the living environment can really benefit the people of our allies and ultimately help enhance their social stability.
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Protesters walk along a street during a rally in Hong Kong on August 18, 2019, in the latest opposition to a planned extradition law that has since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city. Hong Kong democracy activists gathered August 18 for a major rally to show the city's leaders their protest movement still attracts wide public support despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing. (AFP/Manan Vatsyayana)
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his is in response to the article, “Why does Taipei keep asking, ‘Do you love me?’”, published in this newspaper on Sept. 24 by Dimitri Bruyas.
I would like to first thank Bruyas for pointing out China's current threats and oppression against Taiwan. I am also grateful for his criticism and suggestions to my government.
However, I have to point out that his criticism does not strike the right notes. Taiwan attaches great importance to its relationships with its diplomatic allies, therefore the projects and aid provided by Taiwan are always aimed at answering their needs for economic development as well as social stability. For that purpose we have conducted substantive cooperation projects with our allies in various areas such as agricultural development, environmental protection and people's health care etc. for many years.
Taiwan knows that only development of human capital and improvement of the living environment can really benefit the people of our allies and ultimately help enhance their social stability.
As a consequence, Taiwan has continued to offer numerous scholarships and training programs to its allies, so that they will be better equipped in advancing their economic and political development.
However, Taiwan is not able to compete with China in cash diplomacy or checkbook diplomacy. China, in recent years, has tempted Taiwan's diplomatic allies with promises of large-scale infrastructure projects, which always turn out to be empty promises or most likely become white elephants; while China’s huge financial loans often lead to serious debt traps. It’s not difficult to realize that China’s diplomatic blitz attack against Taiwan is usually motivated by malicious political attempts to meddle with democratic elections in Taiwan.
This time, by snatching two of Taiwan’s allies, China also attempts to deflect its domestic pressure caused by its deteriorating economic and financial situations, as well as the international pressure mounting from its mishandling of the situation in Hong Kong.
In short, the efforts made by Taiwan with its allies are motivated not only by its quest for friendship, but also by a humanitarian spirit; whereas the motivation of China’s diplomatic battle against Taiwan is simply political.
John Chen
Representative
Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO)
Jakarta
