Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global issues, Issue: Recent Chinese steps to cripple Taiwan.
Context:
Annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Solomon Islands highlights how China is leveraging influence to diplomatically isolate Taiwan. Beijing is not attending officially but continues to push its One-China policy through regional partners.
Key Highlights:
China’s Strategy in the Pacific Islands:
- Diplomatic Pressure:
- Encouraging Pacific nations to exclude Taiwan from regional platforms.
- Using economic leverage such as aid, infrastructure, loans to switch nations’ recognition from Taiwan to Beijing.
- For example, Solomon Islands & Kiribati switched allegiance to Beijing in 2019, reducing Taiwan’s formal allies.
- Economic Statecraft:
- Heavy investments in infrastructure & development projects.
- Pacific leaders demand trade & investment and China steps in with financial generosity.
- Beijing also prevents Taiwan’s participation in international organizations (e.g., World Health Assembly).
- Diplomatic Gains:
- Nearly three-quarters of countries now support Beijing’s stance that Taiwan is part of China.
- 62% of UN members back the One-China principle.
Importance of the Pacific Islands:
Implications of Taiwan’s Isolation:
- Taiwan currently recognized by only 11 nations + the Vatican.
- PIF used to provide Taipei a rare platform for representation which is now diluted.
- Exclusion reduces Taiwan’s international space, undermining its global legitimacy.
- Beijing strengthens narrative that Taiwan is inseparable from China.
Regional Reactions:
- U.S. & Allies (Australia, New Zealand, Japan):
- Concerned about Beijing’s growing clout.
- Stress Pacific priorities: climate change, poverty reduction, health crises.
- Warn against letting Taiwan issue dominate regional agenda.
- Pacific Nations:
- Seek developmental benefits rather than geopolitical entanglement.
- Balancing Chinese investments with sovereignty concerns.
India’s Concerns:
- India supports One-China policy cautiously but opposes coercive measures.
- Stability of Pacific Islands affects Indo-Pacific balance.
- Taiwan’s exclusion reflects Beijing’s aggressive diplomacy, a precedent for India in its own neighborhood.
- Scope for India to expand ties in the Pacific via Act East + Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Way Forward:
For Pacific Nations:
- Resist being hijacked by great-power rivalry.
- Focus on urgent developmental priorities like climate resilience, poverty, and health.
For Global Community (including India):
- Promote transparent infrastructure financing (alternative to China’s model).
- Strengthen platforms like Quad & Indo-Pacific partnerships to engage small island states.
- Balance geopolitics with developmental diplomacy.
Conclusion:
China’s assertive diplomacy in the Pacific Islands is part of a long-term effort to erode Taiwan’s international space and extend its strategic footprint. For Pacific nations, the challenge is balancing economic benefits with sovereignty. For India and its partners, supporting these nations with developmental, climate, and governance priorities is key to ensuring a stable Indo-Pacific.
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