The US recalled diplomats from countries that dropped recognition of Taiwan, but it’s anyone’s guess who is calling the shots in Washington.

Credit: Reuters/TPG

The News Lens
Date: 2018/09/12
By: Brian Hioe, 破土 New Bloom

Do recent American actions indicate stronger support of Taiwan? Namely, American actions as of late have been unusual, with America taking the high-level step of recalling diplomatic representatives to three countries which recently broke ties with the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) in favor of acknowledging the People’s Republic of China (PRC, China): the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Panama.

When Taiwan lost other diplomatic allies under the Tsai administration over the past two years, America did not issue condemnations on this level. Previously, China refrained from poaching Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies in the eight years of the Ma administration as a gesture of goodwill towards the pro-China Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) administration, but its behavior has resumed under the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). Five allies have severed ties under the Tsai administration to date.

At least on the surface, recalling representatives would appear to be a rather strong gesture by America. This is a known move of America’s diplomatic repertoire and it seems to be quite an emphatic one. But despite that America will sometimes quietly reinstates its diplomatic representatives several months later, it still proves surprising that America would go so far as to recall diplomatic representatives over Taiwan losing allies.    [FULL  STORY]