‘Formal relations with a microstate may be consistent with Taiwan’s claims of sovereignty, but it does little to prevent conflict with China in the future. Unofficial support from countries like the US provide such assurance.’
The News Lens
Date: 2017/06/13
By: Central News Agency
Experts in Taiwan and abroad voiced concern Tuesday that Panama’s switch of diplomatic recognition
Photo Credit: Stellina Chen
from Taipei to Beijing may not be an isolated case.
Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela announced on Monday that the Republic of Panama and the People’s Republic of China had established diplomatic relations. Taiwan immediately ended all cooperation with Panama and has called home its embassy personnel.
Jou Jyh-bang (周治邦), a professor of National Taiwan University’s Graduate Institute of National Development, said “it’s a big loss for Taiwan.” Jou said Panama was an important diplomatic ally of Taiwan because of its strategic position and its Panama Canal, the world’s busiest transportation route.
“The severance of ties between Panama and Taiwan was due to the lack of a breakthrough in cross-Taiwan Strait relations since the coming to power of the new government,” Jou said, referring to President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration that took office on May 20, 2016. [FULL STORY]
