TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan announced its withdrawal from the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) on Tuesday (Aug. 22) and strongly condemned both Nicaragua and China after being voted out of the Parlacen body.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Liu Yung-chien, issued a statement calling China and Nicaragua's actions regrettable and expressed disapproval at Parlacen for "[pushing] through with the bill for our exclusion in favor of China's inclusion."
"To safeguard the sovereignty and dignity of our country, we have decided to withdraw from the body," Liu announced.
The proposal passed on Monday and pushed forth by Nicaragua, voted to remove Taiwan as a permanent observer and replace it with China.
The diplomatic blow marks Taiwan's latest setback after Honduras severed ties with the nation to recognize China earlier in March.
Despite this, Taiwan presidential candidate Ko Wen-je remained unfazed, as he pointed out, "Taiwan has long had complicated diplomatic relations on the international stage."
Speaking to the media during his trip to Nantou County to evaluate the destruction left by the previous typhoon, Ko remarked that "at the end of the day, it's all up to us."
“We need to rely on ourselves to break through," he said, adding, "Even if no one recognizes us, we must be brave and survive."
The presidential hopeful concluded, "We don't need others to recognize our existence."
With Taiwan's 2024 presidential elections coming up, the nation's role on the international stage remains crucial for all candidates to address.