Taiwan, a self-governed island of 23 million people, has been increasingly threatened by Chinese claims to its territory. As its traditional Cold War-era allies fade away, Taiwan is in desperate need of new friends and alliances to safeguard its security and maintain its status as a vibrant and open society. With only 13 official diplomatic allies remaining, Taiwan is actively seeking new partnerships to counter the assertiveness of China. This article explores the impact of Taiwan’s search for new alliances on its security and international standing, as well as the strategies it is employing to attract potential partners.
The importance of Taiwan’s identity as a democratic country cannot be overstated. President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized this in her national day address, declaring that Taiwan will remain a democratic and free society for generations to come. The words “democratic Taiwan” have become its brand, highlighting its unique position in Asia as the top-ranked democracy according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. However, despite its economic prowess as an $800 billion chip superpower, Taiwan lacks official friends on the international stage.
In the past, Taiwan enjoyed a military alliance with the United States and a seat on the UN security council. It benefited from the support of like-minded regimes across the globe. However, with the normalization of relations between the US and China, Taiwan’s allies dwindled, leaving it vulnerable to Chinese coercion. The recent national day celebrations demonstrated the limited nature of Taiwan’s official diplomatic allies. Guest lists were dominated by representatives from tiny micro-states in the Pacific and the Caribbean, with only a few more substantial allies remaining.
Historically, Taipei relied on its chequebook diplomacy to maintain friendships, providing aid and investment to smaller nations. However, China’s economic might has surpassed Taiwan’s, making it difficult for Taipei to compete. As a result, Taiwan’s remaining allies are of little help in countering China’s assertive behavior.
To address this challenging situation, Taiwan is looking for new friends. It is focusing its efforts on building partnerships with young democracies in Eastern Europe, particularly those that have experienced Russian influence in the past. Taiwan believes that these countries, now part of NATO and the EU, may share similar concerns about the threat posed by authoritarian regimes. Lithuania, for example, has openly supported Taiwan and allowed the establishment of a Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius. This move provoked a strong reaction from Beijing, but Lithuania remains committed to its relationship with Taipei.
Taiwan’s search for new alliances also extends to the European Union, where it hopes to gain support in powerful international bodies. Taiwan’s growing trade with Eastern European countries and its investment in Lithuania demonstrate its strategic focus on these regions. By building partnerships with like-minded democracies, Taiwan aims to strengthen its position on the global stage and protect itself against Chinese coercion.
However, Taiwan is not seeking to abandon its old allies. It recognizes the value of maintaining relationships with countries like Japan and the United States, which continue to quietly support Taiwan’s security and sell weapons to the island. The importance of these unofficial relationships cannot be underestimated. Japan, in particular, has a vested interest in Taiwan’s security due to their geographical proximity and shared concerns about China’s intentions.
In conclusion, Taiwan’s search for new alliances is driven by the need to secure its future amid mounting Chinese pressure. As it looks beyond its traditional allies, Taiwan is focusing on building relationships with young democracies in Eastern Europe and garnering support from international bodies such as the European Union. These efforts aim to bolster Taiwan’s security and strengthen its international standing as a democratic and open society. It remains to be seen whether Taiwan’s pursuit of new friendships will yield the desired results, but its determination to protect its sovereignty is unwavering.
