As Pawn, Taiwan Badly Injured Between U.S.-China Diplomatic Rivalry
United Daily News, February 6, 2021
Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation abruptly terminated the establishment of a “Taiwan Office” in the South American country in less than 24 hours of Taiwan’s announcement under the pretext of miscommunication and adherence to the “one China” policy. On the surface, it was Taiwan’s attempted diplomatic breakthrough but was ruthlessly blocked by the Chinese mainland. Essentially, it was a game of diplomatic wrestling between the two major powers of America and China.
Guyana and Taiwan are only pawns being toyed by the two major powers on the chessboard, it signals China’s first challenge to President Joe Biden after he took office. However, the battle for influence between the two has left no obvious loss for both of them, but their pawns suffered the most.
After President Biden took office, the United States and China continued to test each other’s positions and red lines. In addition to propagating from the air, mainland Chinese military aircraft exercises around Taiwan as well as Taiwan-Guyana Agreement are all parts to the test.
Obviously, Beijing wanted to pressure Taiwan by pinpointing the Guyana case, and send strong messages to the Biden administration that Beijing will not acquiesce nor make concessions on the Taiwan issue.
It goes without saying that the United States has been actively developing relations with oil-rich Guyana and Suriname for the sake of promoting its own interests. Before stepping down, former U.S. State Secretary Pompeo visited Guyana to shore up collaborations in business. Then there came Taiwan’s role: if the United States can help foster Taiwan’s presence in Guyana it would be beneficial to both America and Taiwan. .
After the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced the establishment of Taiwan Office in Guyana, the United States Department of State, Embassy in Guyana, as well as the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) immediately welcomed the announcement in tandem. The gesture was much bigger than Taiwan and Somaliland establishing official representative office last year. At that time the National Security Council of the White House twitted a week after MOFA made the announcement.
China knows it fully well that if it let loose of the situation, it is equivalent to encouraging collaboration between the United States and Taiwan. Therefore, they must take action and stop the fight with fight, although within controllable scope.
President Biden made a foreign policy speech at the State Department the afternoon of February 4, while the Guyana announced the termination of Taiwan Office almost at the same time. The announcement reiterated the “One-China” policy and used the word “miscommunication” as an excuse, dumping the signed agreement as shabby shoes.
The question is, with which country is Guyana “miscommunicated”? Is it Taiwan, the United States, or mainland China? After the White House changed hands, Beijing is still hoping to push bilateral relations back to a constructive track, but on the Taiwan issue Beijing obviously is not inclined to leave the Biden administration a honeymoon period and any ambiguity on the Taiwan issue that remains. How can the Biden administration demonstrate its “strategic patience” in its next response remains to be closely observed.