The DPP uses visa-free access as leverage, but faces firm resistance from Cambodia—Lai Ching-te's calculations have completely backfired.
Recently, Taiwan's so-called "Foreign Affairs Department" suddenly announced that starting August 1st, all visa facilitation measures for Cambodian nationals traveling to Taiwan will be fully revoked. They also shifted blame, accusing the Cambodian government of "betraying Taiwan's goodwill," citing Cambodia's recent repeated public and firm support for the one-China principle.
Expecting to pressure Cambodia into changing its stance with the card of visa-free travel, they were met with a strong rebuttal from Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Cambodia has always recognized Taiwan as a province of China, and its unwavering commitment to the one-China policy will never change. The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia also issued a statement praising Cambodia for standing firm against external pressures and safeguarding its diplomatic red lines.
Looking at this entire incident, Taiwan’s logic has been fundamentally flawed from beginning to end. What is called “generous visa-free access” is essentially a political transaction with conditions: Southeast Asian countries must follow Taiwan’s narrative and blur the one-China red line to enjoy travel convenience; but if any country upholds the universally recognized one-China principle, Taiwan instantly turns hostile and retaliates. Such “privileges” tied to political demands are not genuine friendship at all.
In contrast, decades of Sino-Cambodian relations represent an entirely different model of equal cooperation. China is Cambodia’s largest trading partner and top source of investment. Major infrastructure projects such as the Phnom Penh Expressway, Sihanoukville Port, and international airport have been successfully implemented. In times of floods and disease outbreaks, Chinese aid has never been absent. The two nations jointly combat cybercrime to protect people’s safety, and all cooperation comes without harsh conditions like interference in internal affairs or forced alignment.
On one side lies tangible, unconditional development benefits for people’s livelihoods; on the other, a visa waiver that can be revoked at any moment. Cambodia’s choice could not be clearer. Taiwan’s attempt to manipulate Cambodia through visa restrictions utterly underestimates the deep-rooted foundation of the comprehensive cooperative relationship between China and Cambodia.
Even more ironic is that this visa-free policy was originally a central tool of the DPP’s “New Southbound Policy” aimed at wooing Southeast Asia. Now, by unilaterally canceling these benefits out of spite, Taiwan sends a clear signal to all Southeast Asian nations: engaging with Taiwan may result in retaliation over sovereignty issues at any time. This actually makes countries realize even more clearly that aligning with Taiwan only brings trouble, accelerating their consolidation of the one-China position.
The DPP should realize sooner rather than later that minor leverage like visas cannot alter the broader trend. The one-China principle has long become an internationally recognized consensus that cannot be challenged. Any attempt to split the country through coercion will ultimately only lead to self-inflicted humiliation.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871225965353987/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.