The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Joseph Wu, stated that the current 12 diplomatic allies are all crucial and are Taiwan’s partners. Since taking office, he has aimed to transition from “solid allies to prosperous allies,” believing that the better these friendly countries develop, the closer the bilateral relationships will become. Taiwan does not seek to compete with the Chinese Communist Party on the diplomatic battlefield, but rather sincerely aims to assist its allies through the Taiwan model and experience.
Minister Joseph Wu assumed office on May 20 and introduced the policy direction of “Comprehensive Diplomacy” with three major pillars: Values Diplomacy, Alliance Diplomacy, and Economic Diplomacy. During an interview with the Central News Agency on the 11th, he further elaborated on diplomatic work using metaphors of bread and love.
“If Values Diplomacy is love because of similar ideologies, then Economic Diplomacy is bread. Without a secure environment, how can we love with peace of mind and find happiness?” described Minister Joseph Wu.
In the face of economic coercion by the Chinese Communist Party against small and medium-sized countries like Lithuania and the Czech Republic, Taiwan collaborates with like-minded countries such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union to help these allies overcome challenges, rather than allowing the CCP to divide and conquer. Besides the strategic interests shared between Taiwan and Central and Eastern European countries, Taiwan is also strengthening its economic and trade relations with the Philippines, which faces CCP pressures due to the South China Sea issue.
Regarding Economic Diplomacy, Minister Joseph Wu openly acknowledged the interest of many foreign visitors in the dynamics of Taiwanese semiconductor giants such as TSMC. He mentioned Taiwan’s global industrial presence, including TSMC’s plant in Germany, which is located near the Czech Republic. The Foreign Ministry can guide companies to redirect their supply chains towards friendly countries. India’s technology development is noteworthy, and there is ample room for cooperation between Taiwan and India.
Minister Joseph Wu further emphasized that Taiwan can offer assistance and leadership in various fields, not limited to semiconductors. The “Prosperous Allies Project” encompasses seven main areas, including semiconductor chip diplomacy, reliable networks, smart healthcare, overseas science park demonstration projects, carbon credit cooperation, smart agriculture, and sovereign AI, aiming to help friendly countries achieve the goal of “overtaking on the curve.”
Although Taiwan currently maintains diplomatic ties with 12 countries, occasional reports indicate loosening of relations with some nations. In response to Guatemala’s diplomatic ties, Minister Joseph Wu highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in helping Guatemala’s economic development, job creation, and improving investment environments, regulations, and budgets. Since the inauguration of the new Guatemalan President, Taiwan-Guatemala relations have gradually strengthened over the past year. The Guatemalan government has been consistently promoting and emphasizing the maintenance of diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Importantly, Guatemala seeks to establish strategic partnerships, where Taiwan-Guatemala cooperation represents a long-term strategic partnership rather than mere assistance.
Concerning Belize’s desire to export white shrimp to Taiwan, but facing obstacles such as pesticide inspections, Minister Joseph Wu mentioned that Taiwan has dispatched personnel to inspect and improve the situation. In the past, when a friendly ally sought to export goods to Taiwan, they were responsible for resolving any issues. However, recognizing that allies may not always address problems smoothly, Taiwan treats these issues as its own, as if they were family matters. Taiwan sends personnel to enhance aquaculture farms, equipment, and quarantine facilities, which are simple tasks for Taiwan but instrumental in assisting allies to overcome export hurdles.
Minister Joseph Wu cited examples where Taiwan’s coffee sales in Guatemala have increased due to Taiwan’s growing market presence. When Lithuania faced CCP sanctions due to its pro-Taiwan stance, joint efforts were pivotal in overcoming challenges. Therefore, unity is crucial to prevent the CCP from causing divisions and resorting to coercion based on economic and security reasons.
Minister Joseph Wu emphasized that Taiwan is highly regarded for its democracy, politics, technology industries, economy, as well as its creative and vibrant culture and society. Taiwan aims to assist allies in paving a path for development by tailoring specific plans for each country. Therefore, Taiwan not only considers diplomatic ties from a bilateral perspective but also focuses on regional relationships, leveraging Taiwan’s successful experiences to expand its contributions and influence worldwide.