Economic Statecraft Taiwan and Colombia

This chapter is the first attempt to systematically study the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Colombia. It focuses on two categories of relations between the two countries. First, it considers those interactions that take place through official channels, such as diplomatic communiqués and interactions within international multilateral organizations (which are both severely restricted by the “one China” principle). Second, it explores mechanisms of Taiwanese economic statecraft, such as the use of international economic activities like bilateral trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and official cooperation and finance, to achieve its strategic goal of diplomatic recognition or, at least, the establishment in Taipei of a Colombian commercial office with consular functions. This study draws on archival material to highlight the diplomatic drawbacks experienced by Taiwan in its relations with Colombia since the 1970s and offers different perspectives on the nature and degree of current bilateral relations....