The ROC is a sovereign state, maintaining its own national defense and conducting its own foreign affairs. It has full diplomatic relations with 23 countries and substantive ties with more than 140 others. It is an active member of 27 intergovernmental organizations, including the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and the Asian Development Bank.
In addition, the ROC has observer status or associate membership in 21 other intergovernmental organizations and their subsidiary bodies, such as the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Meanwhile, Taiwanese nongovernmental organizations (NGO) participate in the activities of over 2,000 international NGOs.
Nevertheless, the ROC is being kept out of most important international organizations, including the United Nations, and has been unable to establish formal diplomatic relations with many countries, which have opted to recognize the authorities in Beijing. Even so, the ROC is a nation that is fully able and willing to fulfill all the obligations of a member state; is more populous than over three quarters of all countries in the world; is a major economic power; cooperates closely with other governments to combat terrorism and international crime; and, most importantly, is a shining example of a free and democratic society that strives to act in conformance with international covenants on human rights.
Despite limitations on the ROC’s ability to fully participate in important international organizations, it remains committed to pulling its weight in the international community to create a better world. In addition to its long-term foreign aid development programs, the nation’s public and private sectors are active in providing humanitarian assistance worldwide. More than 30 ROC-based NGOs have provided emergency relief in over 50 countries.
President Ma (second from left) and foreign guests take Taiwan’s high-speed rail on their way to the inauguration banquet in Kaohsiung. (Photo by Tsai Shun-chieh)
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