Taiwan loosing ground in Latin America

The election of left-leaning Mauricio Funes in El Salvador is not about to cause the country to dismantle private property laws, retreat on free trade or any of the other major fears associated with left-wing politics.

Funes will however finally move El Salvador from Taiwan's speed-dial to that of the People's Republic of China (the Mainland).

Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with roughly 23 countries around the world, a good handful of which are in Central and South America. Taiwan has typically been able to maintain these relations thanks to "money diplomacy."




China may be a huge economy, but by and large it is still relatively poor and filling the void of billions of Taiwanese aid $'s hasn't been on the top of China's agenda, especially for the countries that have bananas to offer in terms of commodities (instead of metals or energy).

Experts seem to think Taiwan's best bet is to attempt to achieve some type of "dual recognition," meaning acknowledging the coexistence of both the PRC and the Republic of China on Taiwan. Making for "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" stance.

Hey Taiwan! I love you and think your country is a wonderful place and you have all the right to fight for what you believe... but common' get real.

As you can see in this previous post, when the PRC visits leaders in Africa and Latin America one of the first courteous gestures is to emphasize the given countries dedication to support the the PRC's "one China" policy.