China’s strategy of global diplomatic isolation will harm Chinese interests in the long-run.
The Diplomat
Date: September 24, 2019
By: Travis Sanderson
Last week, both the Solomon Islands and Kiribati cut formal diplomatic ties with the Republic of China
Credit: Official Photo by Chien Chih-Hung / Office of the President
With this development, the number of countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan has now dropped to 15. While the Taiwanese government reels as president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) suffers what many perceive as a defeat, the Chinese government trades $730 million and commercial airplanes for two more victories in its strategy of global diplomatic isolation against Taiwan.
The Chinese strategy will likely continue to produce results for Beijing. Taiwan simply cannot compete in the long run against its larger and more economically powerful neighbor, especially since China has prioritized foreign assistance as a core component of its Belt and Road foreign policy. But as Beijing’s strategy pays out dividends to China’s attempt to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, Chinese decision-makers fail to see the danger that their own strategy produces for Chinese interests. [FULL STORY]
