China + China -> Nobel Peace Prize for Ortega?

Submitted by fyl on Tue, 2007/08/28 - 12:25.

Both El Nuevo Diario and La Prensa have articles today where President of Taiwan Chen Shui-bian has said that Ortega should get the Nobel Peace Prize if he gets the two Chinas talking. First, I just thought it was funny but it sounds more real the more I think about it.

Not necessarily the Nobel Peace Prize but getting China to accept that Taiwan is a separate nation. Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 24 countries, most smaller/less important than Nicaragua. Nicaragua (like the US) trades with both but, unlike the US, Nicaragua has been trying to be "friendly" with both.

The catch is that China will not recognize Taiwan because it claims (rightly so but that is long ago) that it is just a piece of China that "ran away". So, there needs to be a third party involved. The UN only has China as a member so it is not yet in a position to help.

First, is this what Ortega is trying to do? In 1980 he broke relations with Taiwan and established them with China. That was switched in the 1990s but he has not tried to switch back. He seems to be doing a good job of sticking with the way it is and then trying to get each country to work with Nicaragua.

This non-polarized approach is the best thing going for Taiwan today. If Ortega is really trying to get the two Chinas to start talking to each other, he might actually be able to make it happen.

‹ Chen's Visit to Nicaragua Nicaragua Freezes Esso's Assets ›

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

It's an interesting topic...

Submitted by gjb2101 on Tue, 2007/08/28 - 14:32.

Ortega couldn't care less about China-Taiwan relations. I think Shui's comments were more just Taiwan trying to consolidate the few allies it still has (he repeatedly called Ortega and Nicaragua his "best friends"), especially since Costa Rica just switched sides.

Ortega is walking a pretty tight line right now- if he can get in good with both Chinas it will surely expand his int'l reputation, as well as open up huge markets for exports, increased aid etc.

But frankly, I'm really surprised he's given Taiwan the time of day considering:

1) China and US don't get along all the time, and Ortega loves anyone who hates the US.

2) Ortega somewhat rudely switched the presidency (the old casa presidencial was donated by Taiwan) which could have easily been interpreted as an undiplomatic move on his part.

not sure what else, but it all seems like a trick up his sleeve

Gabriel

Relevant Content