Taiwan exits Central American Parliament after losing observer status
Taiwan has withdrawn from the Central American Parliament, after the body canceled its permanent observer status on Aug. 21. In a statement on Tuesday, Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned the parliament’s pro-China members for excluding Taiwan. It said that, to uphold national sovereignty and dignity, Taiwan would withdraw from the organization with immediate effect.
In 2006, then-President Chen Shui-bian conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon to Julio Palacios Sambrano, president of the Central American Parliament.
Two years later, then-President Ma Ying-jeou exchanged honors with the parliament’s president, in a showcase of warm relations. For decades Taiwan was a permanent observer in the Central American Parliament, also known as Parlacen. But following Nicaragua’s motion to eject Taiwan and bring in China, Taiwan has withdrawn from the parliament, effective Aug. 22.
Jeff Liu
Foreign ministry spokesperson
Nicaragua, under the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega, willingly serves as China’s pawn. It incorrectly invoked UN Resolution 2758, manipulating the so-called “one China” principle. Disregarding regional democratic development and the welfare of the local people, it snatched away Taiwan’s rights and interests in the Central American Parliament. This highlights China’s deliberate efforts to undermine democracy in Central America and its ambitions to expand in the region.
In a sharply worded statement, Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized Nicaragua’s representatives and other pro-China parliamentarians, for conspiring with China to expel Taiwan. It accused them of disregarding Taiwan’s long-term contributions to the body and to Central America’s development, and of dividing the parliamentary body. The ministry stated that, to defend national sovereignty and dignity, it was officially withdrawing from Parlacen. Established in Guatemala in 1991, Parlacen comprises six member states from Central America, plus Taiwan as an observer. The body’s mission is to promote political dialogue, inter-country collaboration, and democratic development in Central America. But after Taiwan lost ties with regional allies like Honduras, China found an opportunity to move in.
Johnny Chiang
KMT lawmaker
The ruling party must take responsibility for this outcome. They should not make citizens feel as if Taiwan is just sitting around waiting for doom, that nothing is being done to change our predicament.
Tsai Shih-ying
DPP lawmaker
China’s so-called National People’s Congress does not have a single representative who was elected by the people. How can such people represent China during the activities of the Central American Parliament? This only goes to show the absurdity of the parliament’s decision. We strongly condemn it. They excluded a democratic legislature and chose a rubber stamp that doesn’t know what an election is.
China has long fought to isolate Taiwan diplomatically. With its latest moves in Parlacen, it’s notched another win for its campaign.
2023-08-22
