Is the Taiwan authorities facing a crisis of "severing diplomatic ties" again? China | Taiwan authorities | crisis

After China established diplomatic relations with Honduras in March this year, there were only 13 so-called "diplomatic countries" left by the Taiwan authorities. Watching "friends" abandon themselves one by one, the Taiwan authorities are in a state of panic. But the more afraid things become, the more they become. After Honduras, Guatemala has also shown signs of abandoning the dark and turning to the bright.

On the 27th local time, Guatemalan presidential candidate Arevalo stated in a radio interview that Guatemala should formulate its foreign policy independently from its own national interests, "let us become the masters of our foreign policy," and no one can criticize Guatemala's position.

Guatemala should be committed to establishing and strengthening trade relations with the popular Chinese Mainland.

Reuters said that this statement signifies a significant shift in the strategy of the Taiwan authorities as a so-called "diplomatic country".

Screenshot of the report

Guatemala held presidential, parliamentary, and local elections on June 25th local time. This election will elect a new President, Vice President, Member of Parliament, Representative of the Central American Parliament, and Mayor. The Guatemalan Constitution stipulates that the President and Vice President of the country are directly elected for a term of four years and cannot be re elected.

According to the statistical results, Torres, the candidate of the National League of Hope, ranked first with a vote share of 15.8%. 64 year old "Seed Movement" party candidate Arevalo ranked second with a vote share of nearly 12%.

Due to neither of them receiving more than 50% of the votes that can be directly won, the two will enter the second round of competition, and the voting is expected to be held no later than August 20th.

Arevalo data map. According to reports, in recent years, China has successfully attracted more and more allies in Central America and the Caribbean region. If Guatemala severs diplomatic ties with the Taiwan authorities, Belize will become the only remaining "diplomatic country" of the Taiwan authorities in Central America.

Guatemala is located in the northwest of Central America, covering an area of 108900 square kilometers, slightly larger than South Korea, with a population of approximately 18.6 million, making it the most populous country in Central America. The political situation is basically stable, with agriculture as the main economy and a weak industrial foundation. Traditional agricultural products such as coffee, sugar, and bananas are mainly exported to countries such as the United States and Central America.

China is Guatemala's second largest source of imports and fifth largest export destination. According to the statistics of the General Administration of Customs of China, the trade volume between China and hazardous areas in 2022 was 4.94 billion US dollars, of which China exported 4.37 billion US dollars and imported 570 million US dollars. China mainly exported petrochemicals, textiles, machinery and equipment, metal products, and imported fruits, sugar, etc.

In recent years, Guatemala's largest trading partner, the United States, has been trying to prevent Taiwan's "diplomatic losses" in Central America.

Last year, the Associated Press reported that the Guatemalan authorities hired a lobbying company for $900000 per year in order to close ties with the Biden administration. However, this money was paid by the Taiwanese authorities, who not only had to pay for the agent's expenses but also had to reimburse travel expenses, willingly becoming an ATM.

In exchange for the current Guatemalan President Jamat's visit to Taiwan, Tsai Ing wen promised a massive transfer of benefits during her visit to Guatemala this year.

It seems that the Taiwan authorities are going to spend more money again.

The Governor of Chang'an Street noticed that while Guatemala may not be prominent in terms of overall national strength, these Central American countries are very important to the Taiwan authorities.

At the end of March, Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing wen "crossed the border" to visit the United States under the pretext of visiting Guatemala and Belize, using it as a shield. If these countries establish diplomatic relations with China as soon as possible, the "toolbox" of the Taiwan authorities will also become increasingly empty.

In fact, although China and Guatemala have not yet established diplomatic relations, Guatemala is still here inspired by the charm of the Chinese market. In 2007, Guatemalan fast food chain brand Cabaret opened its first Chinese branch in Shanghai.

Despite interference from the United States and the collusion of the Taiwan authorities, the country has continuously released messages to China in recent years to strengthen cooperation. In 2010, Guatemala participated in the Shanghai World Expo. In 2019, Guatemala participated in the the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

In April of this year, the left-wing party in Guatemala held a campaign launch ceremony. Carlos Barrientos, a member of the country's Wenark political movement, stated that the government has not established diplomatic relations with China, which is restricting itself and establishing relations with world powers.Therefore, it is unreasonable for Guatemala to have no diplomatic relations with China.

At the routine press conference of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 28th, spokesperson Mao Ning stated that there is only one China in the world, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing China. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. The One China principle is the international righteousness, the will of the people, and the trend of the times. We believe that more countries will choose to stand on the right side of history and make correct decisions that are in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of their own country and people.