Taipei: Taiwan will not attempt to seek
United Nations membership this year, officials said on Friday, in
a move one observer said was aimed at patching up ties with
Beijing after the Dalai Lama's visit.
"Instead of asking our allies to submit a proposal to
join the United Nations, we will seek other kinds of
meaningful participation," said a foreign ministry official.
"It is a change of method but we will not give up the
Taiwan people's right to join the UN."
The official was speaking as Tibetan spiritual leader
the Dalai Lama wrapped up a five-day visit to the island which
triggered protests and cancellations of activities by Beijing.
"I think the government is making a concession in a bid
to restore mutual trust with Beijing after the Dalai Lama's
trip," said Hsu Yung-ming, a political scientist at Taipei's
Soochow University.
Last year, Taipei made an attempt to join the World
Meteorological Organisation and other specialised UN agencies
rather than seeking full UN membership.
The bid, which failed, signalled a strategic
adjustment following the coming to power last year of
Beijing-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou.
Taiwan lost its UN seat to China in 1971 and Beijing
has thwarted all the island's previous bids to return to the
world body as a full member.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, September 04, 2009, 18:30