On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Haitian Foreign Minister Jean-Baptiste-Victor Harvel participated in the important China-CELAC diplomatic forum in Beijing, marking a rare appearance by one of Taiwan's declining allies at a Chinese-hosted event.

This forum, which aimed to strengthen ties with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.

It should be recalled that Taiwan, an autonomous island claimed by China as part of its territory, maintains official relations with only 12 countries. Among these, Haiti and Saint Lucia were present at the Beijing forum.

Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, described the forum as a platform for "mutually beneficial cooperation," but did not comment on the presence of Taiwan's allies. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies of Haiti and Saint Lucia did not immediately respond to media requests for comment.

Other Taiwanese allies in the region, including Guatemala and Belize, did not have flags displayed on site, suggesting their absence.

Taiwan strongly opposes China's claims to sovereignty and insists on its right to establish diplomatic relations globally. Beijing, however, continues to pressure nations to sever ties with Taipei. In 2023, Honduras became the latest country to cede its allegiance to Beijing.

Saint Lucia previously maintained relations with Beijing but reestablished ties with Taiwan in 2007, while Haiti has been an ally of Taiwan since 1956. Their participation in the China-CELAC Forum highlights the geopolitical complexities and growing diplomatic competition between China and Taiwan in Latin America.

HL/ HaitiLibre