Tricking the South Pacific.
What could China or Taiwan gain from aiding South Pacific Islands? Nothing much but that hasn’t stopped them from building sports stadiums or stopping production on them when political aid moves from one to the other. “China has diplomatic ties with Fiji, the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Niue, a self-governing country administered by New Zealand. Taiwan is recognised by Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands.” Some islands in order to get more aid will switch between the two although this has created losses as well. “In 2003, Kiribati switched from China to Taiwan, prompting China to halt work on a stadium for Kiribati and to dismantle a satellite-tracking station there.” All that is really bought is U.N. votes, the people that are poor and struggling to survive on islands that are dealing with global warming in a most up front manner, receive none of the aid that either entity sends, since the money is spent mostly on government officials free trips to China or Taiwan. What’s the point?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3648739a12,00.html
posted by nobdbghere @ 4:43 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
It is sad that China and Taiwan are playing power games with these little islands. These islands really need help, and all China and Taiwan wants are endorsements and UN votes. Then if the islands aren’t doing well, it doesn’t seem to really matter to China or Taiwan, as long as they get what they want out of it.
It seems though that this can be a mutually benefical relationship. Sure there is political manuvering on teh part of China and Taiwan, but these island nations are also getting money from the deal. No one is forcing them to make alliances in exchange for aid, and with the negliable clout most of these countries carry in the UN it's hard to imagine anyone is really gaining more than the other.
I agree that these Islands don’t hold a lot of clout on the global level, but the fact that China and Taiwan are contributing to their neighbors economically makes them look good globally. China and Taiwan also appear to be competing for global recognition, which could be an explanation for both countries contributing to these island nations.
It doesn't seem to be anymore than a case of the rich getting richer on those islands, to me anyways. If the money doesn't ever trickle down to the poor people or at least the middle class on these islands then I agree with the author of the post, "What is the point?!"
Both countries are jockeying for global position. Extending reach into other countries is what world powers do, so that's what China is doing.
Taiwain, in an effort to maintain an independent image, is forced to do the same, albeit on a smaller level.
What does global warming have to do with being poor and how are they having to deal with what effects?
I think the poor were never in the picture. Sports stadiums really help with mal-nutrition.
Ok- can I just say how funny that is to me? It's like some petty 2nd grade argument. "I'm not going to be your friend anymore." "Well then I'm going to take back my satellite-tracking station." Not that anyone I knew in second grade had a satellite tracking system, or even knew what one was. Although there must be some political reason for it, I just find the whole thing quite juvenile. Enought with the whole thing! I wish they would just let it go already! I can already picture the steam coming out of some of your ears at reading this. Well steam away- that's how I feel about it at this moment and it could all change tomorrow, but right now that's how it is. I just think post is funny. No offense to you Nobdbghere- it's just funny what China does sometimes.
I see no problem with China and Taiwan trying to buy some votes on the islands. They are startegic points and areas of interest for one reason or another to the people of both China and Taiwan. What I don't understand is how a contracted building can be halted and other projects dismantled. Don't you think that if you finished the building or actually showed some genuine interest in the islands that they might produce some loyalty? Where nothing is given, nothing is required.
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