《TIA Thoughts & Impression 》

An Example of “Taiwan Inspiration”: How the “Taiwan Model” Offers an Alternative to China’s Malpractice in Africa

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Peter Tozzi

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On July 31, Taiwan Inspiration Association (TIA) hosted a symposium on “China’s Bad Governance Model for Africa – Alternative Visions.” The symposium examined the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC, or China) economic, human rights, and governance malpractice in Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and how democratic Taiwan can offer African nations an alternative to China’s bad governance model. Taiwan already does so for Somaliland.

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The event was divided into three panels: “Fueling Corruption, Debt Bondage, and Authoritarianism,” chaired by Dr. Scott Flipse, Policy Director of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC：https://www.cecc.gov/about), a hybrid United States governmental entity that tracks China’s human rights record, and which included retired British parliamentarian and member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Tim Loughton, former American Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz, and Hudson Institute’s Africa expert Josh Meservey; “Exploitation of Child and Forced Labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” chaired by CECC staff director Piero Tozzi and featuring the American Enterprise Institute’s Michael Rubin, Atlantic Council’s Joseph Mulala Nguramo, and India Riddoch, a researcher at the British Parliament; and “Democracy Support & The Relationship Between Taiwan and Somaliland,” chaired by CECC’s Tozzi and comprised of Taiwan’s ambassador to Somaliland Allen Lou, Somaliland’s ambassador to Taiwan Mohamed Hagi, Yun-Hu Ye, an academic who is an expert on Taiwan’s engagement to train Somaliland’s Coast Guard, and Orina Chang, who heads a firm investing in Somaliland’s lithium sector.

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［The “China Model”: Malpractice in Africa］

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The first two panels focused on the “China Model” of engagement with African countries through the BRI. The “China Model” is predicated on crushing nations’ economies with insurmountable debt, obfuscating transparency measures, disregarding human rights norms, and exporting Chinese authoritarianism. While PRC officials may claim that they offer loans without conditions, the PRC’s track-record in Africa shows the contrary. In international bodies like the United Nations’ General Assembly, the PRC demands total subservience from African nations. This is especially clear when many African nations feel pressured by the PRC to not criticize it for its human rights atrocities against ethnic minorities like the Uyghurs.

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The experiences of Djibouti, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) demonstrate the truth about PRC investment into Africa. These nations should be wealthy because they are resource-rich. However, the PRC uses debt-trap diplomacy to set them back in billions of dollars of debt. Additionally, the PRC mires these countries in corruption by bribing political and business elites and influencing the outcomes of elections in favor of candidates more amenable to the PRC. While elites have their pockets filled, children and other workers are forced to toil in cobalt mines, as they perilously extract rare-earth minerals. Furthermore, the PRC exports its Marxist-Leninist (with Chinese characteristics) authoritarian model through ideological schools, such as the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology in Zimbabwe.

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［The “Taiwan Model”: An Alternative Model］

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The third panel shed light on Taiwan and Somaliland’s relationship. The “Taiwan Model” prizes good governance practices—honest investment, transparency, democratic values, respect for rule of law, and collaboration in various sectors. While the “China Model” suppresses, the “Taiwan Model” uplifts. Taiwan’s track record in Eastern Africa proves that Taiwan offers an alternative to the PRC.

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According to Ambassador Hagi, the Taiwan-Somaliland relationship is “mutually beneficial.” Both Taiwan and Somaliland offer each other a strong and reliable friendship. Like Taiwan, Somaliland is not officially recognized by the international community, and is often sidelined by many countries despite having much to offer. Like Taiwan, Somaliland is incessantly threatened by a non-democratic neighbor that attempts to claim sovereignty over it. Among the nations of the Horn of Africa, Somaliland is evolving on a democratic track, following Taiwan’s example of democratic evolution. This kindred experience has allowed for Taiwan and Somaliland’s relationship to thrive.

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As Taiwan supports Somaliland’s democracy and rule of law by offering scholarships for Somaliland citizens to study in Taiwan, Somaliland’s strategic location on the Horn of Africa offers Taiwan the opportunity to further invest in Africa. Somaliland’s deep reserves of lithium, oil, and petroleum provide Taiwan with much needed resources. Collaboration in the fishing industry aids both Taiwan and Somaliland’s food supply, especially when the PRC tarnishes the world’s seafood supply chain with forced labor. Taiwan and Somaliland can and should expand its partnership.

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Yun-Hu Ye explained that Taiwan and Somaliland’s coast guards should train together, especially since they are faced with neighbors that attempt to take advantage of waterways. Orina Chang applied her previous experience of investing in the construction of universal communications (UNICOM) stations and managing Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contracts to Taiwan and Somaliland’s plans to invest in large-scale projects. Orina goes back and forth between Taiwan and Somaliland to supervise some of these projects. Taiwan and Somaliland’s collaboration in different sectors demonstrates a commitment to strengthening their friendship and each other.

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［“Taiwan Inspiration”］

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While located many miles apart, Taiwan and Somaliland struggle with constraints attributable to lack of international recognition. Taiwan is nonetheless able to share its democratic values with an emerging democracy. Taiwan’s non-exploitative relationship with Somaliland can serve as an inspiration for African countries who have been disillusioned by the “China Model” and are looking for an alternative. That alternative to China is Taiwan.

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If you missed the symposium, a recording of it can be found on TIA’s Facebook page, here：https://www.facebook.com/share/v/NoGDpjJwGTPPXQo2/