Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials and lawmakers yesterday urged opposition lawmakers to unfreeze diplomacy budgets, citing a lack of resources for maintaining unofficial ties with foreign nations.
Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach must be given the resources it needs to engage foreign political parties, groups and think tanks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) told lawmakers during a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
The lack of funding due to the opposition’s budget cuts has made it difficult for Taiwan’s representative offices to work on public relations and project a good image abroad, he added.
Photo: Taipei Times
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) policy is to keep open communication channels with different parties and factions in foreign nations to insulate Taiwanese interests from government turnover, Chen said.
By making steep slashes in the ministry’s public relations operations, diplomats are facing a severe challenge in representing the nation abroad, he said.
The cuts crippled efforts to reach out to other nations and build public support for Taiwan, Chen said.
Taiwan has a relationship with the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation, he said, referring to conservative groups deemed to be close to US President Donald Trump.
DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) said the opposition parties’ cuts have resulted in a negative budget for several ministry programs.
Surveys have confirmed that the US public is divided along party lines over military aid for Ukraine and the US’ role in NATO, he said.
The polarization of US parties and voters makes it urgent for Taiwan to liaise with both sides, including their voters, non-governmental groups and think tanks, Shen said.
Taiwan cannot afford to neglect voters who might change their government’s foreign policy, he said.
The American Enterprise Institute, which has long-standing ties with the ministry, had loudly protested Trump’s now-suspended plan to impose 32 percent tariffs on Taiwan, Shen said, adding that the institute’s and similar groups’ public criticisms contributed to Washington’s decision to reverse the policy.
Taiwan’s need to collaborate with foreign think tanks is underscored by the US’ erratic trade policy, he said.
Taiwan must use every tool and resource at its disposal to shape public discourse surrounding the nation to obtain bargaining chips in dealing with foreign governments, he added.
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