Taiwan losing out in ‘diplomatic war’ with Beijing as Sao Tome severs ties with island

[Nan Yang]

Taiwan losing out in ‘diplomatic war’ with Beijing as Sao Tome severs ties with island

ALICE YAN

TING.YAN@SCMP.COM

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 21 December, 2016, 11:38am

A small West African nation has announced it will end diplomatic ties with Taiwan, in the latest sign of the diplomatic war between Beijing and Taipei heating up after US president-elect Donald Trump questioned Washington’s stance towards the one-China policy.

Sao Tome and Principe – a former Portuguese colony with a population of 200,000 – said on Wednesday it would sever formal diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name.

The Chinese foreign ministry said it “appreciated” the decision and “welcomed Sao Tome and Principe back onto the correct path of the one-China principle”.

Beijing did not specify if it would immediately set up formal diplomatic ties with Sao Tome, however.

Taiwan’s foreign minister David Lee expressed “regret” over Sao Tome’s decision, adding that the self-ruled island would not engage in “dollar diplomacy”.

Trump and Taiwan: is the president-elect a blessing or a curse?

Lee was quoted as saying that Sao Tome severed ties with Taiwan because the island was unable to satisfy the West African nation’s financial needs.

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http://m.scmp.com/news/china/diplom...an-losing-out-diplomatic-war-beijing-sao-tome

 

[TaiShang]

in the latest sign of the diplomatic war between Beijing and Taipei heating

There is in fact no diplomatic war. There was an unwritten consensus between Beijing and Taipei that Taipei was going to maintain the few diplomatic connections and Beijing would not go after them.

Taipei knew that if Beijing really put some weight, it could easily snatch the remaining countries from Taiwan. But, especially when Taiwan was under Ma Yingjiu, Beijing even returned some countries' request to change diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing.

So, people here took this defection as a sign of Beijing's early warning -- that it can easily cut Taiwan entirely from any normal diplomatic relations. The message is to the Tsai leadership and a warning for any future behavior that would potentially harm the One China doctrine.

Tsai Yingwen is better be more careful. She has a good chance of becoming a one term leader.

 

[terranMarine]

There is in fact no diplomatic war. There was an unwritten consensus between Beijing and Taipei that Taipei was going to maintain the few diplomatic connections and Beijing would not go after them.

Taipei knew that if Beijing really put some weight, it could easily snatch the remaining countries from Taiwan. But, especially when Taiwan was under Ma Yingjiu, Beijing even returned some countries' request to change diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing.

So, people here took this defection as a sign of Beijing's early warning -- that it can easily cut Taiwan entirely from any normal diplomatic relations. The message is to the Tsai leadership and a warning for any future behavior that would potentially harm the One China doctrine.

Tsai Yingwen is better be more careful. She has a good chance of becoming a one term leader.

I hope that woman keeps on being stubborn and refusing to acknowledge the One China consensus. All Beijing has to do is to draw some of our diplomatic cards out and more countries will switch diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing. TW would be pressed into the corner getting tighter and tighter. China's influence is truly vast

 

[Wolfwind]

Sao Tome is an insignificant country that I have never even heard of, very amusing that Tsai Ying Wen or however she spells her name is acting like one of her lifelines was taken away from her.

The ones in Latin America are the most important. El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Nicaragua. Very weird why they still recognise ROC.

 

[Beast]

Sao Tome is an insignificant country that I have never even heard of, very amusing that Tsai Ying Wen or however she spells her name is acting like one of her lifelines was taken away from her.

The ones in Latin America are the most important. El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Nicaragua. Very weird why they still recognise ROC.

ROC paid them money, as simple as that.

China can pay too but just hold the card and I believe if Tsai still misbehave, China will coax them into recognizing PRC.

 

[GCTom]

I hope that woman keeps on being stubborn and refusing to acknowledge the One China consensus. All Beijing has to do is to draw some of our diplomatic cards out and more countries will switch diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing. TW would be pressed into the corner getting tighter and tighter. China's influence is truly vast

The change of Sao Tome's diplomatic relationship have nothing to do with Tsai Ing-wen's denial of the One China consensus. Sao Tome have seen the co-developments China had with many African countries and the benefit it brought about. Sao Tome just wants some of the those developments. However, Tsai's denial will not change the status of Taiwan.

 

[ahojunk]

Trump and Taiwan: is the president-elect a blessing or a curse?

IMHO, it was a blessing but now it is not. Taiwan is not happy being used as a bargaining chip by US.

Tsai Yingwen is better be more careful. She has a good chance of becoming a one term leader.

.
Looking at the current dissatisfaction with her performance and rating, I will say that she will be a one term leader. She is too stubborn for her own good or perhaps she is operating under some political constraints.



There are 21 countries that still recognize Taiwan. This list is constantly shrinking, it just depends on what China choose to do.

Nations which still recognize Taiwan

More importantly, this list does not have any country of significance.

 

[rott]

There is in fact no diplomatic war. There was an unwritten consensus between Beijing and Taipei that Taipei was going to maintain the few diplomatic connections and Beijing would not go after them.

Taipei knew that if Beijing really put some weight, it could easily snatch the remaining countries from Taiwan. But, especially when Taiwan was under Ma Yingjiu, Beijing even returned some countries' request to change diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing.

So, people here took this defection as a sign of Beijing's early warning -- that it can easily cut Taiwan entirely from any normal diplomatic relations. The message is to the Tsai leadership and a warning for any future behavior that would potentially harm the One China doctrine.

Tsai Yingwen is better be more careful. She has a good chance of becoming a one term leader.

What's keeping us from reunification? I don't get it.
Is it the people or the Taiwan Government?

 

[ahojunk]

China, Sao Tome and Principe resume diplomatic ties
(Xinhua) 13:21, December 26, 2016

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, meets with his counterpart in Sao Tome and Principe Urbino Botelho.
[Photo/Chinanews.com]

China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic relations in Beijing on Monday, after the west African nation cut "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan last week.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart in Sao Tome and Principe Urbino Botelho held talks at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse and signed a joint communique to resume the diplomatic relations.

Sao Tome and Principe, an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea and a former Portuguese colony, established diplomatic relations with China immediately after gaining independence in 1975 but switched to Taiwan in 1997.


********

Sao Tome and Principe is a small island nation but located in a strategic location off the west coast of Africa.
.

 

[ahojunk]

| Mon Dec 26, 2016 | 1:52am EST | Reuters
China promises strong support as Sao Tome pitches for business
By Ben Blanchard | BEIJING

China promised strong support on Monday for its newest friend in Africa, the former Taiwan ally Sao Tome and Principe, whose foreign minister made a pitch for Chinese firms to invest in his "tranquil" country as the two re-established ties.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own, has accused Beijing of taking advantage of Sao Tome's financial woes to push the move and that Taipei will not engage in "dollar diplomacy".

China has previously dismissed those claims and Sao Tome has denied reports it approached Taiwan for money.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking to reporters after signing the deal to set up ties with Sao Tome, said the move would be good for both countries.

"Sao Tome will get full support and help from a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and the world's largest developing nation," he said, with Sao Tome Foreign Minister Urbino Botelho standing at his side.

"China is willing to support Sao Tome's quest for socio-economic development and efforts to improve livelihoods and well-being to the best of its ability," Wang said, without giving details on what aid or trade deals China may offer.

Botelho, speaking in Portuguese in comments translated into Chinese, said Sao Tome had made up for the mistakes of the past and made friends with China, which cut ties with Sao Tome in 1997 after it recognized Taiwan.

"We have to recognize that China plays an increasingly important role in the world, especially as a partner to promote development and its contributions protecting the interests of developing nations," Botelho said.

"Sao Tome is a small, island nation, with very friendly people. It is tranquil. It has very good conditions for developing trade and business and cooperating with Chinese companies."

Sao Tome has beautiful scenery for tourists, a strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea and potential for investment in mining, agriculture and the building of ports and airports, Botelho said.

"We hope that interested Chinese companies can join in this discussion."

Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province ineligible for state-to-state relations, had as many as 30 diplomatic allies in the mid-1990s, but now has formal relations with just 21, mostly smaller and poorer nations in Latin America and the Pacific.

The former Portuguese colony's tiny island economy is heavily dependent on cocoa exports but its position in the middle of the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea has raised interest in its potential as a possible oil and gas producer.

China and Taiwan have over the years tried to poach each other's allies, often dangling generous aid packages in front of developing nations.

China is deeply suspicious of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who it thinks wants to push for the island's formal independence, though she says she wants to maintain peace with China.

China's claim to Taiwan has shot back into the spotlight since U.S. President-elect Donald Trump broke diplomatic protocol and spoke with Tsai this month, angering Beijing.

Trump has also questioned the "one China" policy which the United States has followed since establishing relations with Beijing in 1979, under which the United States acknowledges the Chinese position that Taiwan is part of China.


(Editing by Nick Macfie)


********

Show me the money and I will show you the honey.

.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Nations which still recognize Taiwan

View attachment 362298

More importantly, this list does not have any country of significance.

I find it strange one of the biggest Socialists on this planet, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, recognizes Taiwan.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Tsai Yingwen is better be more careful. She has a good chance of becoming a one term leader.

She will be a one term leader.

 

[Beast]

What's keeping us from reunification? I don't get it.
Is it the people or the Taiwan Government?

PRC shall be patient. Peaceful reunification is much better than an outright invasion. Most Taiwanese knows that especially the businessman. So far Taiwan has not make any outrageous moves yet. An military adventure can complete a day but is it worth the effort?

 

[Place Of Space]

PRC shall be patient. Peaceful reunification is much better than an outright invasion. Most Taiwanese knows that especially the businessman. So far Taiwan has not make any outrageous moves yet. An military adventure can complete a day but is it worth the effort?

I disagree. At least PLA shall carry out decapitation strike.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

What's keeping us from reunification? I don't get it.
Is it the people or the Taiwan Government?

Basically it is the belief that a Peaceful Reunification is still possible (like it was with my city HK).

Under PRC law, if China believes that Peaceful Reunification is no longer possible, it will be an immediate declaration of war.