By Daniel Nardini
In a principled stand, the Central American country of Belize has stated it will stand with both Taiwan and Ukraine. Belize’s Prime Minister Johnny Briceno said that no matter how much pressure China may be applying against his country, Belize will maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and will stand against aggression no matter where it is. Even though Belize is a small Central American country, and not capable of militarily fighting for Taiwan, this country nevertheless is standing by Taiwan diplomatically when many other countries will not.
While the United States and Japan are now standing more behind Taiwan than ever before, we have NOT taken the final step of diplomatically recognizing Taiwan. Why? Taiwan is a sovereign country, it has one of the highest gross domestic product growth rates, and it has one of the largest economies in the world. More than that, it is a democratically-run country with one of the freest societies on earth. China is not even remotely like this. It has become an incredibly closed country under a one-party system where there is no freedom whatsoever. Yet, America still operates under what is called the “one China principle” where “Taiwan is a part of China” and the issue of the conflict between Taiwan and China should, in America’s view, be resolved peacefully.
The reality is that it will never be resolved peacefully. The whole issue of Taiwan was created due to the Chinese Civil War (1946-1949), and there has always been a conflict between China and Taiwan. China has always threatened to take Taiwan by force, and only the military intervention of the U.S. military has prevented this. That military intervention is now needed more than ever, and more than that the United States should in my view officially recognize Taiwan and establish full diplomatic relations. Sadly, only 14 countries have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and one of these is not the United States. The one China policy only benefits the Communist Party of China, and is therefore totally useless. That policy was made at a time when the United States was trying to make China an ally against the Soviet Union during the Cold War (1945-1991). The Soviet Union no longer exists, and what China is now could not be more odious to American values.
The only way this conflict can be resolved between China and Taiwan is either through a Chinese invasion and conquest of Taiwan, or a complete containment of China until the People’s Republic of China collapses. But the only way for China to be contained is to officially recognize Taiwan now and work in solidarity with Taiwan like Belize is doing. Whatever problems Belize may have, it is without question on the right side of history. Prime Minister Briceno made it very clear that every country has a right to self-determination, and the people in the Republic of China on Taiwan have a right to determine their future through the vote. A one-party system like China’s does not. Belize’s foreign policy on this point should be followed as an example of all of us being on the right side of history.
Following Belize’s Example
By Daniel Nardini
While the United States and Japan are now standing more behind Taiwan than ever before, we have NOT taken the final step of diplomatically recognizing Taiwan. Why? Taiwan is a sovereign country, it has one of the highest gross domestic product growth rates, and it has one of the largest economies in the world. More than that, it is a democratically-run country with one of the freest societies on earth. China is not even remotely like this. It has become an incredibly closed country under a one-party system where there is no freedom whatsoever. Yet, America still operates under what is called the “one China principle” where “Taiwan is a part of China” and the issue of the conflict between Taiwan and China should, in America’s view, be resolved peacefully.
The reality is that it will never be resolved peacefully. The whole issue of Taiwan was created due to the Chinese Civil War (1946-1949), and there has always been a conflict between China and Taiwan. China has always threatened to take Taiwan by force, and only the military intervention of the U.S. military has prevented this. That military intervention is now needed more than ever, and more than that the United States should in my view officially recognize Taiwan and establish full diplomatic relations. Sadly, only 14 countries have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and one of these is not the United States. The one China policy only benefits the Communist Party of China, and is therefore totally useless. That policy was made at a time when the United States was trying to make China an ally against the Soviet Union during the Cold War (1945-1991). The Soviet Union no longer exists, and what China is now could not be more odious to American values.
The only way this conflict can be resolved between China and Taiwan is either through a Chinese invasion and conquest of Taiwan, or a complete containment of China until the People’s Republic of China collapses. But the only way for China to be contained is to officially recognize Taiwan now and work in solidarity with Taiwan like Belize is doing. Whatever problems Belize may have, it is without question on the right side of history. Prime Minister Briceno made it very clear that every country has a right to self-determination, and the people in the Republic of China on Taiwan have a right to determine their future through the vote. A one-party system like China’s does not. Belize’s foreign policy on this point should be followed as an example of all of us being on the right side of history.