The Central American Parliament (Parlacen) has made the decision to expel Taiwan as a permanent observer, a role it has held since 1999. The decision was made during Parlacen’s session in the Nicaraguan capital, Managua, on Monday. The proposal to remove Taiwan came from a group of Nicaraguan legislators who argued that Taiwan’s observer status was “illegitimate” due to its lack of recognition as a sovereign state by the United Nations.
The legislators also pointed out that the UN considers Taiwan to be a province of mainland China. In response to the vote, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry described it as a “conspiracy” by Beijing to pressure Taipei. The ministry stated that Taiwan would withdraw from Parlacen with immediate effect to uphold national dignity. It reiterated the government’s position that neither Taiwan nor Beijing are subordinate to the other.
Beijing has welcomed Parlacen’s decision, as it views Taiwan as its territory. Mainland China has long opposed any forms of diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, which has been governed separately from mainland China since the late 1940s. In 1971, the UN expelled Taiwan and recognized the Communist government in Beijing as the sole representative of China. Since then, the majority of countries have upheld the “one-China” principle, refraining from establishing formal ties with Taiwan.
Parlacen is comprised of six nations: Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Currently, only Guatemala maintains formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. This decision by Parlacen further isolates Taiwan diplomatically within the region.
The vote to expel Taiwan highlights the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and mainland China, as well as Beijing’s efforts to assert its dominance over Taiwan on the international stage. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province and has intensified its efforts to diplomatically isolate the island in recent years. It has pressured countries to sever ties with Taiwan and has sought to limit its participation in international organizations.
Taiwan, on the other hand, has been working to strengthen its international presence and gain recognition as an independent and sovereign state. It has faced ongoing pressure from Beijing, including military threats and diplomatic maneuvers aimed at isolating Taiwan.
The decision by Parlacen not only reflects the ongoing power struggle between Taiwan and China, but also underscores the influence that Beijing wields in the region. It highlights the challenges faced by Taiwan in securing diplomatic recognition and maintaining its international standing.
As the global balance of power continues to shift, Taiwan’s status remains a contentious issue. The international community is torn between recognizing Taiwan as a separate entity or adhering to the “one-China” policy. This decision by Parlacen further limits Taiwan’s opportunities for meaningful participation on the international stage and underscores the obstacles it faces in asserting its sovereignty.
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