At this time each year, the Republic of China (Taiwan) makes its annual appeal to join the United Nations. Yet, over the past decade, every attempt by the island republic has been overwhelmingly rebuffed.
This year, with the Western world focused on the global war on terror, may mark a new beginning for Taiwan’s UN aspirations.
Taiwan submitted their latest petition on Sept. 11, no doubt choosing the date for all it political symbolism. Within hours the UN General Assembly — as it always has — rejected the resolution.
But political and business leaders on the island formerly known as Formosa haven’t given up on recognition and are moving ahead with efforts to promote their uncertain cause.
“Our 23 million people aren’t represented at the United Nations, and they are now the only ones,” says Andrew Hsia, director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York. “Without involvement and participation, we have problems taking part in international life.”
Beijing — which won recognition 31 years ago by the United States Department of State as “the only legitimate representative” of China — has blocked Taiwan’s membership in international forums.
“There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan has been a part of China’s territory since antiquity,” Wang Yingfan, China’s ambassador to the world body, wrote in an Aug. 12 letter to the General Assembly.
Backing Taiwan’s recognition, writes Yingfan, “interferes in China’s internal affairs.”
About 160 governments officially subscribe to this view.
With only 27 diplomatic allies, Hsia says it is not his role to debate whether Taiwan is an independent country or an offshore province.
Hsia’s job, he says, is to try to figure out a way for Taiwan to participate in the United Nations, the World Health Organization and myriad international treaties until the day such political questions are settled.
Specifically, he says, Taiwan would like to join international treaties and participate in programs that benefit children and build peace.
“We want to participate, to give and to help,” he says “Instead, we are excluded.”
Taiwanese assistance amounting to millions of dollars for refugees, women and disaster relief has been rejected, Hsia says, under pressure from Beijing.
Taiwan’s leaders have made several stabs at international legitimacy since 1992, when the end of the Cold War increased the prestige and power of the United Nations and other international organizations.
Formal resolutions go down without a trace, while unofficial efforts usually are ignored or rebuffed.
This year, Taiwan and allies are trying again. A dozen of the 27 nations that recognize Taipei — all of them poor African, Caribbean and South Pacific countries — have floated a resolution “to recognize the right of the 23 million people of the Republic of China on Taiwan to representation in the United Nations system.”
It will not be brought to a vote.
Last year, officials did not speak at the opening General Assembly debate, to the disappointment of Taiwan’s officials.
“We certainly hope America will take a more positive attitude” this year, says Hsia. “But knowing how they work in the UN, they need the cooperation from other members on the Security Council,” where China holds a veto. “We try to understand.”
UN-watchers point out that UN membership has been accorded to nations as small as East Timor and as undemocratic as North Korea. They also note that if Palestine — which hasn’t achieved statehood — can be permanent UN observers with every membership privilege but a vote, they say, why can’t some creative arrangement be crafted for Taiwan?
“Because Taiwan is not an independent country,” says Sun Jiwen, a councilor with the Chinese mission who handles the Taiwan issue. “Switzerland is a country, and East Timor is a country,” he notes, naming the two states that will formally join the United Nations this month. “Taiwan is not.”
Critics have long accused Taipei of “checkbook diplomacy” — buying support from aid-hungry nations. Taiwan rejects the label but makes no secret of its humanitarian-aid, foreign investment and trade preferences.
“Of course we help our friends, but also those who do not have ties to us,” says Hsia, who points out that Taiwan is the world’s eighth-largest source of foreign aid and direct investment, even though its opportunities to assist are strictly limited.
Hsia, who is informally called “ambassador,” says he has no illusions about Taiwan’s somewhat quixotic campaign for UN membership.
“But if we stop trying,” he said, “people will forget about us.”
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