Clear head required for Gambia issue

Source:Global Times Published: 2013-11-16 1:33:02

Related report: Gambia breaks off diplomatic relations with Taiwan

Gambia announced Friday it would cut "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan, shocking the island. The opposition green camp in Taiwan attacked the bankruptcy of Ma Ying-jeou's "diplomatic cease-fire" with the mainland. It's the first time since Ma took office in 2008 that it has lost such a "diplomatic" relationship.

The meddling by the green camp will not reignite the "diplomatic war" across the Taiwan Straits. The tug-of-war has cost huge amounts in terms of manpower and funds, and provided space for other countries to cash in, such as Gambia which established diplomatic ties with the mainland in 1974 but shifted to Taiwan in 1995. There is no winner in this "war," something that both sides should be well aware of.

 Gambia cutting ties with Taiwan has had little impact on the mainland. It was reported that some countries with "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan attempted to establish ties with the mainland but were turned down. The "diplomatic cease-fire" is chiefly a natural result of the power balance across the Straits.

As for the next step, Gambia is likely to hold talks with the mainland about reestablishing diplomatic ties, for which we need to keep a clear mind. We might need to talk it through with Taiwan and figure out the situation. Jumping between the two sides should incur a price, instead of being encouraged. Gambia is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world, and is in great need of foreign aid. However, it would be incorrect to demand compensation from the mainland through severing ties with Taiwan.

The historic trend is the increasing power of the mainland and consequently the expanding international pivot. The Chinese mainland has been engaged in many forms of cooperation with Africa. However,  countries that recognize Taiwan were unable to participate and have lost more chances than what Taiwan could offer.

In order to maintain ties with the 23 countries that recognize Taiwan, the island has to pay an increasing cost to its limit until it sees the countries slip away one by one. But if it abandons this political fantasy, the loss of Gambia would not be a big deal. First, it doesn't affect the lives of Taiwan people, and second, it's only a relief for the financially strained Taiwan administration. In other words, it's only a matter of losing face.

The green camp will certainly hype the Gambia incident and some are concerned that it will have an impact on cross-Straits relations, which will not happen. For the mainland, the political crisis in Taiwan is only a "storm in a teacup."

The forces of "Taiwan independence" have still been active in recent years. Taiwan has been trying to maintain its gains for as long as possible. However, the situation will change against its will. Gambia slipping from Taiwan reflects one fact: Time is on the side of the mainland.

Posted in: Editorial

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