Comments on: Costa Rica: Breaking Relations with Taiwan and Starting with China http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:19:23 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: James R. Paulson http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-2/#comment-1423764 James R. Paulson Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:19:45 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1423764 As a frequent traveler to Central America I fail to see how Costa Rica can be condemned for breaking relations with Taiwan as a moral failure. The Chinese revolution and the emergence of the Communist government are facts to be recognized and they have been dealt with accordingly by all countries in their own national interest. Despite the personal moral political failings of Pres. Nixon in USA domestic politics he acted in the USA national interest to recognize the People's Republic of China, notwithstanding the tears of many of the most fanatic right wing Republicans. For a Democratic president to break with Taiwan as the government of China seated at the UN he would have faced accusations of being soft on Communism. American national interest triumphed over "moral" indignation. The government of Taiwan has capitalized on its relationship with 22 mini states, largely small islands in the Pacific, by pandering to them and the governments or leaders of Central America to seek international credibility. This merely holds up the unlikely support of Central American states to mockery as naive syncophants. I strongly suspect that even the far-leftist government of Ortega in Nicaragua maintains this farcical relationship because he or members of his political coterie have some financial secret funding which even outweighs his new dependence on Chavez of Venezuela. It is also a fact of Taiwan's relationship with Central America that their nationals have secured in some countries, such as Belize, a very significant financial hold. From my travels in Belize I am amazed to find that the majority of small shops throughout the country are Chinese owned - a major contributor there to racial conflict, to say nothing of the growing control in services and small industry. According to the immigrant customs their financial arrangements involve Chinese exclusively. I am especially surprised that a country such as Belize, connected as it is to Central American groups and to the Caribbean permits itself to be shown as a Taiwan prostitute. Even in the Caribbean, from what I know there are only the three "saint" islands, plus Dominican REpublic and Haiti, still recognizing Taiwan. Surely Dominican Republic and Haiti in their respective historical situations are no touchstones for international morality. It would be interesting to know if the corruption now coming into the open about the rejected PUP government of Belize has involved a Taiwan connection; perhaps the personal payoffs have been such that even the new UDP government which has been in oppostion for most of the years since independence will use the "moral" issue to justify continued relations with Taiwan in place of national interest. Belize is obviously a prize for Taiwan as it bridges Central America and the Caribbean. So it goes politically even while the Vatican continues to inch its way towards relations with Beijing in the interest of the Catholic Church. Where is the morality in refusing to recognize the government of a country which contains a population of billions as opposed to the residue of a corrupt government that fled from China in the 1940's and superimposed itself on indigenous Taiwanese? James R. Paulson, Miami, Florida As a frequent traveler to Central America I fail to see how Costa Rica can be condemned for breaking relations with Taiwan as a moral failure. The Chinese revolution and the emergence of the Communist government are facts to be recognized and they have been dealt with accordingly by all countries in their own national interest. Despite the personal moral political failings of Pres. Nixon in USA domestic politics he acted in the USA national interest to recognize the People’s Republic of China, notwithstanding the tears of many of the most fanatic right wing Republicans. For a Democratic president to break with Taiwan as the government of China seated at the UN he would have faced accusations of being soft on Communism. American national interest triumphed over “moral” indignation. The government of Taiwan has capitalized on its relationship with 22 mini states, largely small islands in the Pacific, by pandering to them and the governments or leaders of Central America to seek international credibility. This merely holds up the unlikely support of Central American states to mockery as naive syncophants. I strongly suspect that even the far-leftist government of Ortega in Nicaragua maintains this farcical relationship because he or members of his political coterie have some financial secret funding which even outweighs his new dependence on Chavez of Venezuela. It is also a fact of Taiwan’s relationship with Central America that their nationals have secured in some countries, such as Belize, a very significant financial hold. From my travels in Belize I am amazed to find that the majority of small shops throughout the country are Chinese owned – a major contributor there to racial conflict, to say nothing of the growing control in services and small industry. According to the immigrant customs their financial arrangements involve Chinese exclusively. I am especially surprised that a country such as Belize, connected as it is to Central American groups and to the Caribbean permits itself to be shown as a Taiwan prostitute. Even in the Caribbean, from what I know there are only the three “saint” islands, plus Dominican REpublic and Haiti, still recognizing Taiwan. Surely Dominican Republic and Haiti in their respective historical situations are no touchstones for international morality. It would be interesting to know if the corruption now coming into the open about the rejected PUP government of Belize has involved a Taiwan connection; perhaps the personal payoffs have been such that even the new UDP government which has been in oppostion for most of the years since independence will use the “moral” issue to justify continued relations with Taiwan in place of national interest. Belize is obviously a prize for Taiwan as it bridges Central America and the Caribbean. So it goes politically even while the Vatican continues to inch its way towards relations with Beijing in the interest of the Catholic Church. Where is the morality in refusing to recognize the government of a country which contains a population of billions as opposed to the residue of a corrupt government that fled from China in the 1940’s and superimposed itself on indigenous Taiwanese?
James R. Paulson, Miami, Florida

]]> By: the news star » 60 años junto a Taiwán quedaron atrás http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1213966 the news star » 60 años junto a Taiwán quedaron atrás Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:11:04 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1213966 [...] Política, General Este post ha sido publicado en el prestigioso blog Global Voices Online (Costa Rica: Breaking Relations with Taiwan and Starting with China [Ing] [Es] [Fra] [...]

]]> By: yourstruly http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1186716 yourstruly Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:46:16 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1186716 Economically, Costa Rica probably benefits by switching allegiance from Taiwan to China. I'm not saying that I agree with the morality of the issue, but China doesn't exactly have a right to say that Taiwan is part of itself either. Being a province of China implies a certain lack of fundamental human rights, and it's not as if the Chinese government administration is especially good at taking care of its people anyway. Taiwan's government isn't really much better, either, but at least there's a phantom of free will involved, and that should make some people happy at least. I mean, even as it is now, with Taiwan and China separate, they still trade like intimate bedpartners across the sea, so... the status quo seems good enough. China is just being greedy to want to acquire Taiwan. Economically, Costa Rica probably benefits by switching allegiance from Taiwan to China. I’m not saying that I agree with the morality of the issue, but China doesn’t exactly have a right to say that Taiwan is part of itself either. Being a province of China implies a certain lack of fundamental human rights, and it’s not as if the Chinese government administration is especially good at taking care of its people anyway. Taiwan’s government isn’t really much better, either, but at least there’s a phantom of free will involved, and that should make some people happy at least. I mean, even as it is now, with Taiwan and China separate, they still trade like intimate bedpartners across the sea, so… the status quo seems good enough. China is just being greedy to want to acquire Taiwan.

]]> By: roy rojas http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1186282 roy rojas Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:24:40 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1186282 mahathir_fan, the name of the article is not incorrect, now CR has declared that no longer recognizes TW like independent republic, something that before if it did. mahathir_fan, the name of the article is not incorrect, now CR has declared that no longer recognizes TW like independent republic, something that before if it did.

]]> By: zhou http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1186202 zhou Sun, 24 Jun 2007 06:08:07 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1186202 when I first heard the news that CR broke ties with TW and established relationships with the mainland of China, I was like ..hmmm, sad for TW; good and just for the mainland of China. the flashback was about 35 years ago, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , THE STAUNCHEST ALLY OF TW DESERTED TW AND JUMPED IN BED WITH RED CHINA!!!! Why?? are we too naive?-- to talk about moral issues here? and as a matter of fact, should a nation or state's leader have the word "moral" in any corner of his head, he is utterly incompetent and be fired right away , or the nation or state's interests are in peril. in this case, of course the president of CR had one thing on mind" money", and "money", and "money". how could you compared the mainland's vast business opportunities with TW's "donation" cash or whatever form, which has obviously been increasingly nominal, relatively speaking. when I first heard the news that CR broke ties with TW and established relationships with the mainland of China, I was like ..hmmm, sad for TW; good and just for the mainland of China. the flashback was about 35 years ago, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , THE STAUNCHEST ALLY OF TW DESERTED TW AND JUMPED IN BED WITH RED CHINA!!!!

Why??
are we too naive?– to talk about moral issues here? and as a matter of fact, should a nation or state’s leader have the word “moral” in any corner of his head, he is utterly incompetent and be fired right away , or the nation or state’s interests are in peril.

in this case, of course the president of CR had one thing on mind” money”, and “money”, and “money”.
how could you compared the mainland’s vast business opportunities with TW’s “donation” cash or whatever form, which has obviously been increasingly nominal, relatively speaking.

]]> By: mahathir_fan http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1186022 mahathir_fan Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:05:10 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1186022 "Breaking Relations with Taiwan and Starting with China" I just want to let you know that your title is incorrect. It should read: Breaking relations with the Republic of China and Starting with People's Republic of China. Taiwan is a province of the Republic of China. You cannot refer to Taiwan as though it is a country. Taiwan is the only province that is controlled by the Republic of China. However, the Republic of China also claims mainland China including Mongolia to be its rightful territory. “Breaking Relations with Taiwan and Starting with China”

I just want to let you know that your title is incorrect.

It should read: Breaking relations with the Republic of China and Starting with People’s Republic of China.

Taiwan is a province of the Republic of China. You cannot refer to Taiwan as though it is a country. Taiwan is the only province that is controlled by the Republic of China. However, the Republic of China also claims mainland China including Mongolia to be its rightful territory.

]]> By: mahathir_fan http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1186020 mahathir_fan Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:01:54 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1186020 "Taiwan will return to China sovereignty one day." What do you mean "will return"? Taiwan IS already part of China today, just a different government is ruling it, called the Republic of China. “Taiwan will return to China sovereignty one day.”

What do you mean “will return”? Taiwan IS already part of China today, just a different government is ruling it, called the Republic of China.

]]> By: Daniel Duende http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1185874 Daniel Duende Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:46:11 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1185874 This seems to be a very complex question. One can't say what would be the long term consequences of refusing to "change sides" in this moment, as far as one can't be sure about the outcome of this "exchange of loyalties" -- if there was any loyalty involved in the matter. But what i've found to be even more interesting here is the position defended by our fellow chinese commentator right above me. I am not sure if i agree or disagree with him about "Taiwan being part of China". I am not informed enough about this matter to risk being too opinionated about it. But the curiousity that strikes me is "IF he saw things differently, IF he believed in the right of sovereignity of Taiwan, would he be punished by his ideas? Would he have permission to have them and, even more, express them?". I believe that's the question i have about his words. Could he say differently? I may be wrong, but i was taken to believe that there is not much freedom of speech and freedom of ideological variation in present day China. I would like to remark, anyway, that i am making this point in a very respectful, if curious, manner. It's just a question that came to my mind. This seems to be a very complex question. One can’t say what would be the long term consequences of refusing to “change sides” in this moment, as far as one can’t be sure about the outcome of this “exchange of loyalties” — if there was any loyalty involved in the matter.

But what i’ve found to be even more interesting here is the position defended by our fellow chinese commentator right above me. I am not sure if i agree or disagree with him about “Taiwan being part of China”. I am not informed enough about this matter to risk being too opinionated about it. But the curiousity that strikes me is “IF he saw things differently, IF he believed in the right of sovereignity of Taiwan, would he be punished by his ideas? Would he have permission to have them and, even more, express them?”. I believe that’s the question i have about his words. Could he say differently? I may be wrong, but i was taken to believe that there is not much freedom of speech and freedom of ideological variation in present day China.

I would like to remark, anyway, that i am making this point in a very respectful, if curious, manner. It’s just a question that came to my mind.

]]> By: 崔晓é¹ï¼ˆAlbert Cui) http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1185841 崔晓é¹ï¼ˆAlbert Cui) Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:46:12 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1185841 I am a college student in China.I believe Taiwan is part of China,for the safe of China mainland. Now the world has no democracy really.Bush can do what he want to if he really want to do it,beacuse America is super powder.The order of the world is base on super powder.Now the influnce of China is stronger day by day.Taiwan will return to China sovereignty one day. I am a college student in China.I believe Taiwan is part of China,for the safe of China mainland.
Now the world has no democracy really.Bush can do what he want to if he really want to do it,beacuse America is super powder.The order of the world is base on super powder.Now the influnce of China is stronger day by day.Taiwan will return to China sovereignty one day.

]]> By: David Culver http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1185754 David Culver Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:59:13 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1185754 In this instance, I think Arias is making the wise decision. In my view Costa Rica is being courted by the great powers that be. Costa Rica and its people are better served because it is a fact that China is hugely influential and even the great super power of the world US of A has to recognize this. Arias may take heat for this but in the long run this move is more realistic. In this instance, I think Arias is making the wise decision. In my view Costa Rica is being courted by the great powers that be. Costa Rica and its people are better served because it is a fact that China is hugely influential and even the great super power of the world US of A has to recognize this. Arias may take heat for this but in the long run this move is more realistic.

]]> By: Simon http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/comment-page-1/#comment-1185722 Simon Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:18:29 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/06/19/costa-rica-breaking-relations-with-taiwan-and-starting-with-china/#comment-1185722 Wow. Apparently, some Costa Ricans did not approve President Arias' decision. It would have been better if Costa Rica tried in public to recognize both countries and shame China for its inflexibility. Wow. Apparently, some Costa Ricans did not approve President Arias’ decision. It would have been better if Costa Rica tried in public to recognize both countries and shame China for its inflexibility.

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