ZCZC
BFF-13
TAIWAN-HAITI-DIPLOMACY-AID
Taiwanese president courts ally Haiti during Caribbean tour
PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen
made a brief visit to Haiti on Saturday without unveiling new spending
commitments, as she courts Taipei’s dwindling allies in the Caribbean in a
diplomatic struggle with China.
Since Tsai became president, Beijing — which considers Taiwan part of its
territory — has poached five of the island’s shrinking roster of allies,
including Haiti’s neighbor the Dominican Republic.
She spoke with her Haitian counterpart Jovenel Moise for half an hour to
discuss possible cooperation in education and infrastructure, without
providing specific details.
Taipei has allocated $150 million to the country to help electrify its
territory but the funds have not been allocated because they have yet to be
ratified by the Haitian parliament.
Port-au-Prince is in the middle of a protracted political crisis which has
sapped the country’s ability to leverage financial concessions out of Taipei.
Growing street protests have demanded Moise’s resignation, and he has not
had a functioning government for months, with parliament barely able to get
enough attendees to hold a session.
Before continuing her regional tour by departing to Saint Lucia on Saturday
night, Tsai told a joint audience of local and Taiwanese business leaders
that she wished “with all my heart for political and social stability in
Haiti.”
Haiti is now one of only 17 countries in the world to still officially
recognize Taiwan, but has vowed to maintain ties with the island.
Taiwan has ruled itself for seven decades but most countries do not
recognize it — including the United States, which switched diplomatic
recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Yet Washington remains its most powerful unofficial ally and biggest arms
supplier, and has pressured Haiti to maintain its relationship with Taipei.
China has vowed to one day to reassert control over the island, by force if
necessary.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1150 hrs