China's Measured Diplomacy Contrasted with US 'Sledgehammer' Approach, by Owei Lakemfa

Taiwan, a territory that asserts itself as a sovereign state, maintains informal diplomatic and economic ties with influential nations like the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and EU member states. Operating as the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan is a global leader in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, boasts a GDP exceeding $34,000, and possesses significant military capabilities.

Despite its claims of sovereignty over 77 years, Taiwan has not achieved the status of a state. Even its former 26-year tenure as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from 1945 did not grant it this recognition.

This nuanced reality of Taiwan's global standing was highlighted on April 22nd when its President, Lai Ching-te, was scheduled to visit Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) for King Mswati III’s birthday and coronation. Eswatini is the sole African nation with formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.

China, which asserts historical claims over Taiwan, did not resort to military posturing like deploying aircraft or warships. Instead, Taiwan's President discovered he could not proceed with his journey as three African nations – Madagascar, Seychelles, and Mauritius – denied his flight permission to traverse their airspace. Taiwan's administration attributed these denials to intense pressure from China, alleging "economic coercion." While this may be accurate, the core issue is Taiwan's lack of independent statehood, which prevents its aircraft from securing overflight permissions from recognized nations.

The author posits that if the US had adopted China's diplomatic approach, it might have avoided contentious and occasionally embarrassing confrontations with Iran. The US's call for an international coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz was notably ignored.

The central argument is not about political maneuvers but about China's sophisticated diplomatic tactics that have marginalized Taiwan on the international stage. Even key allies like the US, which use Taiwan as leverage against China, hesitate to establish formal diplomatic relations with it.

Historically, goods perceived as low-quality from various parts of the world were sometimes derisively labelled "Made in Taiwan." While this may no longer be true for manufactured goods, the article contends that Taiwan's claim to state sovereignty is a comparable "fake product" that even its strongest supporters are unwilling to endorse.

China and Taiwan share a history as part of the same nation. Following World War II, a civil war between the pro-Western forces led by General Chiang Kai- shek and the patriotic forces of Chairman Mao Tse-Tung resulted in the latter's victory. In December 1949, Kai-shek's forces retreated to Taiwan, a region under Japanese colonial rule until 1945.

Supported by Western powers from Taiwan, these forces attempted to establish a rival government and fragment the nation. However, China maintained its commitment to national unity under the "One China" principle.

The author suggests that China's immense military strength could have been used to annex Taiwan decisively, irrespective of repercussions. However, China prioritizes non-kinetic diplomatic strategies.

This strategic choice stems from the belief that the people of Taiwan are Chinese, making the shedding of Chinese blood counterproductive. China's diplomatic efforts have been so effective that most major global powers do not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign entity, with Eswatini being a notable exception in Africa and Europe and North America largely absent.

China employed similar diplomatic strategies to reclaim Hong Kong from British colonial rule. Following Britain's colonization and lease of Hong Kong, China underwent a communist revolution in 1949. Concerns arose about Britain returning Hong Kong to a communist China, especially given Hong Kong's established capitalist economic structure.

Despite initial protests and unrest leading up to the 1997 handover, China engaged in diplomacy. The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration led to Britain's agreement to return Hong Kong in 1997, with China consenting to maintain Hong Kong's capitalist system for 50 years post-handover, known as the "One country, two systems" policy. This demonstrates China's willingness to compromise to achieve its territorial objectives without conflict.

China actively pursues its national interests through diplomacy, differing from the US approach. While China engages in various international affairs, it avoids the overt military interventions characteristic of the "American cowboy" image. It prefers non-confrontational methods and does not impose its will on other nations. Despite its avoidance of direct warfare, other countries acknowledge China's formidable strength.

The article revisits the potential benefits of adopting China's diplomatic style, suggesting it could have prevented the tragic loss of life in Gaza and Iran. It also alludes to perceived eccentricities in US leadership, implying that a more conciliatory diplomatic approach could foster global peace and humanity's well-being.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist, and author.