TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s new foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) revealed he plans to secure new diplomatic allies during his term.
While in a Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee meeting, Lin said some countries have expressed interest in establishing closer relations with Taiwan, CNA reported. Taiwan maintains a values-based diplomatic approach and does not engage in financial diplomacy, regardless of gaining or losing an ally, he said.
Some countries neighboring Taiwan's diplomatic allies see benefits in engaging with Taiwan for their development, "so we hope to make more friends," he added.
The foreign minister said that China will inevitably attempt to poach more diplomatic allies, so Taiwan must prepare for the worst while striving for the best. He noted that China employs various tactics, such as leveraging Chinese ICT giant Huawei's involvement in some countries, which can affect communications and IT infrastructure.
However, countries with values similar to those of the U.S. and Taiwan have clean networks, he said. Taiwan's allies need digital infrastructure and services, and if Taiwan can participate in providing them, they will not feel isolated.
Taiwan has 12 remaining diplomatic allies, mostly in the Caribbean, Central and Latin America, and the South Pacific.