Taipei: Taiwan has no immediate plan to recognize a Palestinian state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced Monday. This declaration comes in response to recent formal recognition announcements by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Portugal.
According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan’s government is closely monitoring the developments and has called on Palestine to engage in exchanges with Taiwan. The ministry highlighted the historical context, noting that Palestine and China established formal diplomatic ties in 1988, and reaffirmed this relationship in June 2023 with a joint statement marking a strategic partnership. In this statement, Palestine recognized Taiwan as an “inalienable part of China’s territory” and opposed any form of “Taiwan independence.”
MOFA expressed discontent over Taiwan’s inclusion on a map by the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine, which depicted countries recognizing the Palestinian state. The ministry described this as disrespectful to Taiwan’s sovereignty. Despite these tensions, MOFA has reiterated its call for all parties to exercise self-restraint and resolve differences through continuous dialogue.
Taiwan has shown support for humanitarian efforts, including a US$500,000 donation to Mercy Corps for aid in the Gaza Strip, announced in May 2024. Additionally, MOFA pledged support for a medical project in an Israeli settlement, although this has drawn criticism from human rights groups.
The backdrop to MOFA’s statement is the recent recognition of Palestine by several countries, with France expected to follow suit. Currently, 147 out of 193 United Nations member states recognize Palestine, which has held non-member observer state status in the U.N. General Assembly since November 2012.
The Israeli and U.S. governments have expressed concerns that such recognition could be perceived as a “diplomatic gift for Hamas,” referencing the attack on southern Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. The ongoing conflict has led to a substantial loss of Palestinian lives, with over 65,000 reported killed in Gaza, although the actual toll may be higher due to inaccessible areas. An independent U.N. inquiry in September concluded that Israel’s actions could be considered genocide.