Diplomacy potential of overseas groupsBy Wang Wen-sheng 王文勝Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) recently said that NT$41.5 billion (US$1.31 billion) in diplomatic funding has been stalled, affecting many of Taiwan’s diplomatic initiatives. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has deliberately attempted to sabotage those efforts to prevent Taiwan’s diplomatic expansion, he said. Although Taiwan’s international status is relatively low, the Republic of China’s (ROC) visibility would be higher in the eyes of overseas communities. Pro-Beijing overseas groups and hometown associations are eager to gain access to the Republican Party. Amid the US’ broader shift to the right, pro-Beijing overseas communities are themselves eager to engage in “united front” work targeting the Republican Party.
