ROC Taiwan 2002

ROC Yearbook 2002

Foreign Relations
President Chen Shui-bian welcomes Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman Lacayo at the Hsinchu County Government. (Courtesy of the Office of the President)
  1. People's Diplomacy
  2. Multilateral Relations
    1. The United Nations (UN)
    2. The World Trade Organization (WTO)
    3. The World Health Organization (WHO)
    4. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
  3. Bilateralism
    1. Asia and the Pacific
      1. Northeast Asia
      2. Southeast Asia
      3. South Asia
      4. Oceania
      5. West Asia
    2. Africa
    3. Europe
    4. North America
      1. The United States
      2. Canada
    5. Latin America and the Caribbean
  4. Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid
    1. Humanitarian Assistance
  5. Overseas Chinese
    1. Emigration Trends and ROC Policy
    2. Reception Services
    3. Culture and Education
    4. Economic Integration
    5. Political Participation
  6. Conclusion: An End to the Obstruction of Taiwanese Participation
Tables, charts, and boxes:

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 several islets. Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been governed separately, with neither subject to the other's rule.

The Republic of China maintains its own national defense and conducts its own independent foreign policy, including full diplomatic relations with nearly 30 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.

The continuing consolidation of Taiwan's democracy further reinforces the fact that recognition of the international and legal status of Taiwan is entirely in accord with the principles, obligations and values professed in the United Nations Charter. This fundamental truth is buttressed by Taiwanese public opinion, which overwhelmingly supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations. In response to this democratic aspiration, the government will resolutely encourage the participation of individuals and NGOs of the ROC in international forums and UN-sponsored activities.

The international community has steadily increased its recognition of the achievements of Taiwan in democracy, directly benefiting the ROC's diplomacy. For example, President Chen Shui-bian ³¯¤ô«ó was awarded the 2001 Prize for Freedom by Liberal International. In addition, President Chen's stopovers in the United States on his second trip to Latin America represented a significant improvement in the treatment accorded to the ROC's highest elected official.

The tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the ensuing conflict in Afghanistan have had a massive impact on the international system; however, the values of democracy and international cooperation have only been strengthened. These events have also highlighted the rapid acceleration of interdependence, where what takes place in one country affects the whole world. As a result, foreign relations in the post-cold war period have been increasingly characterized by the development of multilateral institutions dedicated to economic development, peace and security, democracy and human rights.

Clearly, exclusion of any single nation from these mechanisms severely compromises their integrity and effectiveness. Taiwan, one of the world's largest economies and trading nations, could help deal much more effectively with issues ranging from the provision of international aid to the conservation of endangered species, if it were a signatory to relevant international conventions and were allowed to attend multilateral forums within the United Nations and other frameworks.


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