Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan has vowed to intensify technological cooperation with Guatemala as it works to reinforce its shrinking circle of diplomatic allies in the face of mounting pressure from Beijing.

During a June 5 meeting with visiting Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pledged to “strengthen exchanges and cooperation as well as scholarship programmes for young people, provide training for high-tech and information and communication talents so as to push forward prosperity and development.”

The pledge reflects Taipei’s urgent efforts to preserve its limited number of formal diplomatic partnerships, now down to just 12 globally. Guatemala remains Taiwan’s last official ally in Central America, a region where Beijing has steadily expanded its influence by offering large-scale infrastructure deals under its Belt and Road Initiative.

President Arévalo highlighted Guatemala’s priority areas for collaboration, citing public health, education, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure as fields where his government seeks greater capacity.

Arévalo said his visit was intended to elevate the long-standing relationship to a new level by deepening economic and commercial ties. He emphasized the growing importance of advanced industries to Guatemala’s development. “We believe that we can follow Taiwan’s very unique and important experience in building its own way into the high-tech industry,” he said.

Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lin Chia-lung accompanied visiting Guatemala President to the forum, as well as AIT Director Raymond Greene, Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association Chair Joseph Lyu and over 100 representatives from the textile, semiconductor, electric vehicle and circular economy industries.

“Taiwan will continue to engage with Guatemala in line with our Allies Prosperity Project towards win-win cooperation and joint prosperity,” read a press statement by the ministry.

Guatemala’s Minister of Economy Gabriela García introduced the investment environment and business opportunities in Guatemala, expressing hopes that Taiwanese businesses will look to Guatemala as a foothold for expansion in the Latin American market. President Arévalo also visited the Hsinchu Science Park during his trip.

The growing diplomatic contest underscores a sharp imbalance in both resources and strategy. Taiwan typically offers well-targeted aid programs governed by democratic oversight, whereas China has been accused of practicing “chequebook diplomacy,” luring nations with promises of costly infrastructure projects — including roads, railways, and stadiums — that are often financed through high-interest loans.

Taiwan’s more restrained approach reflects both its legislative checks and its self-image as a functioning democracy in contrast to the authoritarianism on the rise globally. Still, Beijing has continued to erode Taipei’s international standing, most recently persuading countries such as Peru and Costa Rica to switch recognition in favor of China.

Each defection brings Beijing closer to its goal of completely isolating Taiwan diplomatically — a move Chinese leaders believe will weaken the island’s international legitimacy and pave the way for “peaceful reunification.”

China responded to Arévalo’s visit swiftly. On June 6, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “recognising the one-China principle and developing relations with China align with the fundamental interests of Guatemala and its people.”

Lin dismissed Taiwan’s diplomacy as “self-deceptive theatrics that cannot stop the overriding historical trend toward China’s reunification,” citing Beijing’s ties with 183 countries as evidence of global consensus.

Guatemala’s continued allegiance carries outsize importance for Taipei. With a population of 17 million, it is one of Taiwan’s largest remaining allies, offering a key voice in international forums where Taiwan lacks formal representation due to the widespread adoption of the “One China” policy — a stance maintained even by the United States, which officially recognizes Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China.

Yet the implications go beyond diplomatic symbolism. Every remaining ally can vote on Taiwan’s behalf in global institutions, a vital function as the island faces ongoing exclusion from multilateral settings.

For Guatemala, maintaining ties with Taipei means balancing the appeal of Beijing’s infrastructure largesse against the long-term advantages of Taiwan’s democratic model and technological know-how — particularly as global supply chains begin to shift away from Chinese dominance. Still, rejecting China’s increasingly aggressive regional courtship may grow more difficult as the United States adopts a more isolationist posture and continues to reduce foreign aid under the Trump administration.

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