Foreign Relations

President Chen Shui-bian gives a speech in New York after receiving the 2003 Human Rights Award from the International League for Human Rights. (Courtesy of the Office of the President)

The Republic of China (ROC) is a sovereign state with a population of 23 million and a defined territory consisting of the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and various other smaller islands. Since establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been governed separately, with neither effectively subject to the other’s rule.

Allies and Friends

The ROC maintains its own national defense and conducts its own independent foreign policy. It has full diplomatic relations with 27 countries and substantive ties with more than 140 others.

To further the aims of pragmatic diplomacy and mutual interest, the ROC continues its endeavors to establish diplomatic ties or enhance its relations with the rest of the world’s countries. Eighty-nine representative offices or branch offices are maintained in the capitals and major cities of 57 countries. Although these offices carry various names such as Taipei Representative Office, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, or Trade Mission of the Republic of China, they all perform the majority of the functions of embassies and consulates general.

Similarly, 46 of the countries that do not have formal diplomatic relations with the ROC, nevertheless also have established representative offices or visa-issuing centers in Taiwan.

Countries Maintaining Formal Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of China

1. Solomon Islands
2. Tuvalu
3. Republic of The Marshall Islands
4. Republic of Palau
5. Republic of Kiribati*
6. Burkina Faso
7. Republic of Chad
8. Republic of The Gambia
9. Republic of Malawi
10. Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
11. Republic of Senegal
12. Kingdom of Swaziland
13. Holy See
14. Belize
15. Republic of Costa Rica
16. Commonwealth of Dominica
17. Dominican Republic
18. Republic of El Salvador
19. Grenada
20. Republic of Guatemala
21. Republic of Haiti
22. Republic of Honduras
23. Republic of Nicaragua
24. Republic of Panama
25. Republic of Paraguay
26. Saint Christopher and Nevis
27. Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
    ^{*Ties established on November 7, 2003.}

The United States

The United States plays a special role in Taiwan’s foreign policy, both in its capacity as Taiwan’s largest trading partner and as a guardian of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, private ties are strong, due mainly to the large size of the Taiwanese-American community, but also because of the wide range of political and cultural values the two countries have in common.

Taiwan-US relations have progressed in many respects since President George W. Bush assumed office, such as mutual visits by officials and military personnel between the two countries, US arms sales to Taiwan, and US support for Taiwan’s efforts to join international organizations.

Overseas Aid and Aid for Overseas

The economic development that culminated in the world-famous “Taiwan miracle” was greatly assisted by aid from other countries, especially in its early stages. For this, Taiwan feels both appreciative and responsible to help other nations in their development.

In addition to such long-term development programs, Taiwan is also very active in promoting humanitarian assistance. Taiwan participates in the activities of more than 2,000 international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and more than 30 Taiwanese charitable groups have provided emergency relief in some 50 countries. These include World Vision, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Fo Guang Shan Foundation for Buddhist Culture and Education, Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps, International Action and Cooperation Team, Eden Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, and the Field Relief Agency. Such altruistic activities have won praise and thanks from the peoples and governments of the recipient countries, and acknowledgement from around the world. Participation by both civil and government groups in relief and anti-terrorist work after the September 11 incidents in the US has similarly won praise from peace-loving peoples everywhere, as have the efforts of Taiwan’s domestic and international NGOs in assisting Afghan refugees.

Representation on the World Stage

As noted, the ROC has full diplomatic relations with 27 countries, and substantive ties with more than 140 others. Its democratically elected government represents the 23 million people living in Taiwan, and no other government in the world can legitimately claim to represent them or speak on their behalf. Nevertheless, despite the practical acceptance of Taiwan’s existence in the numerous ways mentioned above, because of PRC obstruction, Taiwan’s contribution to the world community is restricted to these largely unofficial areas, and the voice of Taiwan’s people is silenced on the world stage.

Naturally, this is a matter of great concern to Taiwan’s people, not merely as a question of rights and obligations, but also, as the recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic demonstrated, from a pragmatic viewpoint. Moreover, in a world that places ever more value on democracy and human rights, the continuing consolidation of Taiwan’s democracy inevitably earns it greater support from citizens and policymakers throughout the international community. This reinforces the fact that recognition of the international and legal status of Taiwan is entirely in accordance with the principles, obligations, and values professed in the United Nations Charter. 

This fundamental truth is further supported by Taiwanese public opinion, which overwhelmingly supports Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. In response to this democratic aspiration, the administration continues to strive to expand such participation, and to encourage the active involvement of individuals and NGOs in international forums and UN-sponsored activities.

The universal values of human rights have become core national values and a new focal point for ROC diplomacy. President Chen Shui-bian has committed the government to moving towards full integration of Taiwan in the international human rights system spearheaded by the United Nations. As a crucial first step, both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, key policies drawn up and promoted by the UN, have been approved by the Executive Yuan, and sent to the Legislative Yuan for ratification.

Taiwan has continued to make progress in obtaining membership in international organizations and is now a member of 18 intergovernmental organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Asian Development Bank, and Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units of the World. In addition, Taiwan also has observer status in ten intergovernmental organizations, including the Competition Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has demonstrated its appreciation for Taiwan’s support by according “special observer” status to the Taiwan delegation to EBRD Annual Meetings.

Return to the UN Family

Because the ROC is not a member of the UN, and because the PRC capitalizes on its position in the UN to restrict Taiwan’s diplomatic voice, the 23 million people of Taiwan have neither representation nor participation in international decision-making processes in many fields. Moreover, they are even hindered in their efforts to participate in international humanitarian assistance and NGOs activities.

The government began actively promoting Taiwan’s UN membership bid in 1993. The campaign is carried out by means of proposals made by the ROC’s diplomatic allies at the UN General Assembly, urging the UN to recognize the right of the 23 million people of Taiwan to have their representation in the United Nations family.

Health and Trade

Based on humanitarian concerns and on the fact that diseases know no borders, In 1997 Taiwan launched a bid for observer status at the World Health Organization (WHO). Its allies have repeatedly submitted proposals to the annual meetings of the World Health Assembly, urging the international community to respect the health rights of Taiwan’s 23 million people by inviting Taiwan to join the WHO. Such a move would enable Taiwan to benefit from participating in WHO activities, and allow the WHO to benefit from Taiwan’s resources and experiences in promoting public health and combating infectious diseases. Not only will Taiwan continue to strive for observer status in the WHO and seek the support of individual countries, but it will also maintain its commitment to offering practical medical assistance and humanitarian relief to other countries in need.

Taiwan became the 144th member of the WTO on January 1, 2002. Since the formation of its permanent mission to the WTO, Taiwan has actively participated in various WTO meetings to strengthen its role in the organization as well as its interaction with other members. These endeavors have further expanded Taiwan’s opportunities to cooperate in international economic activities.

Taiwan joined APEC in 1991. It has played an active role in this 21-member forum of Asian-Pacific economies and has chaired several working groups and forums in recent years. Currently, as Chinese Taipei, Taiwan serves as the Convener of the Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group of the Committee on Trade and Investment, Deputy Convener of the Human Resource Development Steering Group of the Telecommunications and Information Working Group, and Chair of the Expert Group on Efficiency and Conservation of Energy Working Group.

Overseas Chinese

The ROC Constitution mandates the protection of the rights and interests of citizens residing abroad. According to statistics of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission (OCAC) 僑務委員會, there are some 36.7 million Overseas Chinese, not including those of Hong Kong and Macaw. Around 77.21 percent of these live in Asia, mainly in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Another 17.70 percent live in the Americas, 2.68 percent in Europe, 2.02 percent in Oceania, and 0.39 percent in Africa.

The OCAC serves the diverse interests of these overseas Chinese, through economic, cultural, and educational undertakings. Its current focus is on liaison services, cultural and educational work, assistance to businesses, guidance to students returning for further studies, and news broadcasting and information dissemination. Through its headquarters in Taipei and offices in major cities around the world, the OCAC provides guidance and maintains close contact with about 4,200 overseas Chinese associations. These activities are carried out in accordance with the Measures on Providing Guidance to Overseas Chinese Associations 海外華僑團體輔導辦法 and the Main Points on Overseas Chinese Association Liaison and Registration 海外華僑團體聯繫登記作業要點.

Taiwan and its people are ready and willing to participate in all types of international activities. In bilateral cooperation, humanitarian relief, scientific exchanges, promotion of human rights, environmental protection, maintenance of regional and global peace, and even the fight against terrorism, the sincerity and enthusiasm of the Taiwanese is clear for all to see.