Key facts
- An informal 'Dumpling Alliance' of Eastern European states supporting Taiwan has faded from public view.
- Countries like Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Slovakia have become more cautious in their engagement with Taiwan.
- China is accused of using economic incentives as political leverage, alongside military pressure.
- Taiwan's DPP criticized China's new economic measures, citing a history of unreliable policy shifts.
- Taiwan's economy is less reliant on China than in the past, with expanded global trade relationships.
The informal 'Dumpling Alliance,' a collective of Eastern European states that supported Taiwan during the Covid-19 pandemic, has largely faded from public view. This decline reflects a growing caution among countries like Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia in their dealings with Taiwan, a situation influenced by China's economic leverage and political pressure.
China has been accused of employing economic incentives as a tool for political gain, while simultaneously increasing military pressure on Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan has criticized Beijing's latest economic proposals, with officials pointing to China's history of abruptly canceling trade or tourism with other nations, such as Japan and Australia, as a tactic.
DPP officials highlighted efforts to promote Taiwanese produce in international markets like Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, noting an increase in agricultural exports. They emphasized that while Taiwan supports market opening with China, it must be reciprocal and free from political coercion. A source involved in cross-strait affairs indicated that China's promises are unreliable, as Beijing has a pattern of restricting market access based on political developments.
These shifting policies have historically led to losses for Taiwanese industries and farmers. The source added that Taiwan's economy is now significantly less dependent on China than in 2005, having diversified its global trade relationships. The 'one China market model' is deemed unworkable and a threat to Taiwan's democracy and freedoms, with Beijing offering no clear guarantees against future import suspensions.
An Executive Yuan official noted the inherent uncertainty and selectivity in China's exchange measures, posing risks to businesses. The Mainland Affairs Council stated that China's ten Taiwan-related measures are a political arrangement tied to the '1992 Consensus' and opposition to 'Taiwan independence.'