TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Taiwan will not use "checkbook diplomacy” to compete with China for favor among its diplomatic allies and instead introduced the “Taiwan model.”
In an interview on Oct. 11, the foreign minister emphasized the importance of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies. He stated that Taiwan will no longer engage in China’s "checkbook diplomacy," a strategy that openly uses economic aid and investment to leverage diplomatic favor.
Taiwan has lost 10 diplomatic allies since 2016. Lin said China attempts to isolate Taiwan by poaching its allies, offering greater sums of money, investment, and other political and economic benefits in exchange for switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.
He also noted that China pressures countries by scolding officials and demanding changes to documents that contain language supportive of Taiwan.
According to Lin, “Taiwan does not compete with the CCP for the diplomatic battlefield, but comes from the heart and helps its allies through Taiwan's model and experience.”
To retain its remaining allies, Lin introduced a plan covering seven areas: semiconductor and supply chain resilience, trustworthy digital governance, new energy and carbon credits, smart science park development, smart healthcare, new agricultural innovation, and artificial intelligence. He emphasized that Taiwan’s expertise extends beyond the semiconductor industry.
Lin explained that Taiwan aims to assist countries with their development by applying its technological advancements and expertise in these key areas. He said that projects will be tailored to each country’s specific needs.
"We are trying to use Taiwan's successful model or experience to help our allies develop in a way that benefits their country,” Lin said.
For example, to help Belize meet technical requirements for exporting its shrimp, Taiwan sent personnel to inspect factories and improve breeding equipment. Additionally, Taiwan assisted Guatemala in exporting its coffee to Taiwan after China banned its products, allegedly due to Guatemala’s friendly stance towards Taiwan.
