On June 21, representatives from Taiwan and the United States held a “Working-Level Meeting on International Organization Issues” in Taipei to discuss how to assist Taiwan in participating in the United Nations system and other international organizations. This meeting holds significant importance in the field of international relations, especially in terms of power balance, international law, and international organizations.

Power Balance and Alliances

The main focus of the meeting was on countering China’s continuous use of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to marginalize Taiwan. China leverages its economic and political influence to isolate Taiwan on the international stage. The cooperation between Taiwan and the United States demonstrates America’s commitment to Taiwan and helps balance China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region. By supporting Taiwan, the United States aims to counterbalance China’s rise and maintain regional stability.

A notable instance of this strategy is the U.S.’s consistent support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite China’s opposition, the U.S. has repeatedly called for Taiwan’s inclusion, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwan’s effective response to the pandemic was used as a compelling argument for its inclusion in global health discussions. This support from the U.S. not only emphasizes Taiwan’s capabilities but also underscores the importance of inclusivity in international health governance.

International Law and Sovereignty Disputes

The representatives deeply explored how to expose the implications of Resolution 2758 beyond its literal meaning and support Taiwan’s legitimate status and sovereignty in international affairs. According to international law, sovereign states have the right to participate in international organizations, and Resolution 2758 pertains only to the issue of China’s representation, not Taiwan’s international status. Taiwan and the United States are attempting to clarify this point through legal means to ensure Taiwan’s right to international participation.

Legal Arguments for Taiwan’s Participation: In various international forums, Taiwanese and American legal experts have argued that UN Resolution 2758, which recognizes the People’s Republic of China as “the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations,” does not explicitly deny Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. They emphasize that the resolution addresses the representation of China but does not resolve the status of Taiwan, thus leaving room for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement in international bodies.

Global Consensus and International Cooperation

The meeting also discussed how to build a global consensus to jointly counter China’s strategy of obstructing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This indicates that Taiwan and the United States are seeking broader international support and hope to use multilateralism to counter unilateralism. This strategy aligns with the principle of collective security in international relations, which is to resist aggression and expansion through international cooperation.

An example of this broader international support is the G7’s stance on Taiwan. In recent communiqués, the G7 countries have expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This collective backing from major global powers helps build a broader consensus and exerts pressure on international bodies to reconsider Taiwan’s exclusion.

China’s Strategic Response

Recently, China has further restricted Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and announced a policy to punish acts of “Taiwan independence and inciting secession.” This includes prohibiting efforts to push Taiwan’s entry into international organizations limited to sovereign states, conducting official exchanges abroad, and banning media from distorting or altering Taiwan’s status, all seen as acts of secession. Observers note that China has been emphasizing Resolution 2758 in recent years, attempting to obstruct Taiwan’s development opportunities in international organizations on legal grounds. 

China’s diplomatic pressure is evident in its efforts to exclude Taiwan from international aviation discussions. For instance, at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assemblies, China has consistently blocked Taiwan’s participation, arguing that it is not a sovereign state. Despite this, Taiwan continues to operate one of the busiest airspaces in the world, highlighting the practical need for its inclusion in such discussions for global aviation safety and efficiency.

Deepening Taiwan-U.S. Cooperation

These measures prompted in-depth discussions at the Taiwan-U.S. Working-Level Meeting on International Organization Issues held in Taipei. The meeting reaffirmed the stance of supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system and other international organizations, particularly targeting the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Taiwan and the United States agreed to further strengthen cooperation, expand, and enhance international support through innovative methods to achieve progress and breakthroughs in international organizations.

Joint initiatives such as the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) highlight the deepening cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. The GCTF, which includes other countries like Japan, focuses on various global issues including public health, disaster relief, and cybersecurity. These initiatives not only strengthen Taiwan’s international presence but also showcase its ability to contribute to global governance effectively.

The Quiet Diplomacy: State Department’s Low-Key Response and Strategic Considerations

The State Department’s press release on June 22 did not mention the identities of the American “representatives” sent to Taipei nor their titles as deputy assistant secretaries. The release also did not address the legal basis for Taiwan’s “meaningful participation” in UN agencies; it did not acknowledge the participation of third-country diplomats (including “official” or other diplomatic envoys) in Taipei in consultations with American and Taiwanese diplomats. 

It is rare for the State Department to send two deputy assistant secretary (DAS)-level officials to Taiwan. These senior policy officials met with diplomats from NATO, ANZUS, and the Japanese government to coordinate their multilateral Taiwan policies. This multilateral cooperation indicates the U.S.’s strategic intention to organize allies on the international stage to jointly respond to China’s challenges. This approach reflects a strategic use of quiet diplomacy, where significant diplomatic engagements and alliances are formed without drawing public attention, thereby reducing immediate political backlash while building a strong multilateral support base for Taiwan.

Expert Commentary

John J. Tkacik commented on the visit of two U.S. deputy assistant secretaries to Taiwan in his June 30 column in the Liberty Times, Taiwan. He speculated that they might be the two principal deputy assistant secretaries of the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP): former AIT Taipei Office Director Kin Wah Moy and the Coordinator for China Affairs, Mark Lambert. Lambert is responsible for all China-related affairs at the State Department’s China Coordination Office (The China House, also known as China Desk) and is one of the most knowledgeable State Department officials on Taiwan and international organization issues.

Lambert’s remarks on April 30 at the German Marshall Fund in Washington were the first public critique by the State Department of China’s “misinterpretation” of Resolution 2758 since Blinken became Secretary of State. Lambert pointed out that nothing, especially Resolution 2758, excludes Taiwan from meaningful participation in the United Nations and other multilateral forums.

Conclusion

The results of this meeting show that Taiwan and the United States have established a common front in international affairs to counter China. This includes not only exposing the intentions behind Resolution 2758 but also supporting Taiwan’s sovereignty and legitimate status in international affairs. Two U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretaries also visited Taiwan and met face-to-face with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung to jointly explore ways to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in international affairs. It is reported that discussions also involved innovative methods to expand international support, promoting Taiwan’s effective participation in the UN system and other international organizations.

The impact of international support is evident in Taiwan’s participation in organizations like APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), where Taiwan is a full member under the name “Chinese Taipei.” Despite China’s objections, Taiwan’s involvement in APEC has allowed it to contribute to regional economic discussions and policies, showcasing how international support can facilitate Taiwan’s engagement in global governance. This meeting not only strengthened Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in international affairs but also demonstrated a shared determination and strategy to counter China’s efforts to exclude Taiwan from international organizations.

From the perspective of international relations, this meeting was a significant diplomatic activity, showcasing the cooperative strategy of Taiwan and the United States in the face of Chinese pressure, providing new opportunities for Taiwan to seek greater space on the international stage.