The Taiwan authorities have decided: "Not attending."
Taiwan faces the embarrassment of missing the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference for the first time in 25 years. Confronted with fierce criticism from public opinion within Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement late on the 26th, claiming that due to serious errors in the visa exemption documents provided by host country Cameroon, Taiwan was "forced" to abstain. On the 27th, it issued another statement, shifting its narrative to allege that Cameroon had listed Taiwan under an "inappropriate and demeaning name," leading to the absence. However, U.S. lawmakers from both major political parties have publicly voiced support for Taiwan’s participation, prompting Taiwan's foreign affairs chief Lin Chia-lung to express his "sincere gratitude."
The explanations offered by Taiwan’s foreign affairs department are full of contradictions and only serve to expose their own inconsistencies. Tracing the sequence of events reveals a clear truth: as the host nation, Cameroon adheres to the one-China principle, labeling Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China” (i.e., “Taiwan, a province of China”) in official documents. Taiwan’s foreign affairs department repeatedly protested and threatened corrections, but Cameroon ignored these demands. Caught between a rock and a hard place—accepting the designation would amount to tacit recognition of one China, while rejecting it meant losing the right to attend—the Taiwan authorities ultimately chose "non-attendance," yet attempted to mask this voluntary withdrawal by framing it as being "forced."
By seeking statements of "support" from U.S. politicians, the Taiwan authorities aim to project an image of international backing and legitimacy. Yet such comments from American politicians are merely cheap strategic gestures, not altering the fundamental U.S. one-China policy. Claims of the "best-ever Taiwan-U.S. relations, as solid as a rock" are hollow words. And Cameroon is not an isolated case: since early 2026, South Korea, Denmark, and Cameroon have all officially designated Taiwan as part of China in their government documents, effectively compressing Taiwan’s so-called "international space" to the breaking point.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities’ evasive excuses expose the futility and isolation of "Taiwan independence." The WTO will not halt proceedings due to Taiwan’s absence—it will only further damage the DPP authorities’ credibility and reputation. Even more alarming for them is the growing precedent effect. As China’s international influence rises, an increasing number of countries will follow the one-China principle in handling the Taiwan issue. This aligns with the prevailing consensus and global trend, requires minimal cost, and brings greater opportunities for cooperation. Such practices, like Cameroon’s, will become the norm. The DPP authorities may soon find themselves excluded from the international stage altogether.
Faced with mounting domestic criticism, the DPP authorities neither reflect on their own shortcomings nor take responsibility. Instead, they continue fabricating excuses and shifting blame. They loudly claim "protest" while quietly withdrawing; they boast about "dignity" while forfeiting "participation." The one-China principle is now being implemented in concrete administrative procedures and official documents. If the DPP continues to rely on external forces for "independence" and refuses to face reality, it will only accelerate the deterioration of Taiwan’s international situation. "Taiwan independence" is a dead end, and resistance leads nowhere. Only by returning to the "1992 Consensus" and embracing the one-China principle can Taiwan truly enjoy the honor of participating on the international stage.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860785593978890/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.