A decision by Laos to include Taiwan in a policy to attract more Chinese tourists was made under pressure from Beijing and is aimed at giving the false impression that Taiwan is part of China, said Taiwan’s foreign ministry.
The Lao government announced on Wednesday that Chinese nationals may visit without a visa for up to 15 days as part of a group tour. It also provided an itinerary approved by its Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The policy, valid from July 1 to Dec. 31, also applies to tourists from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, the government said in its announcement.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Taiwan and China were not subordinate to each other and Laos should not collaborate with China to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and international standing.
Taiwan had shared its position regarding the issue with the Lao government through Taiwan’s representative office in Vietnam, it added.
The ministry explained that there has been no change to a rule requiring Taiwanese tourists traveling to Laos to obtain an electronic or on-arrival visa.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. Since separating from mainland China in 1949, Taiwan has been self-governing.
Tensions have increased since the administration of the island’s then-president, Tsai Ing-wen, took power in 2016, refusing to acknowledge the “one China” principle.
During a January presidential election in Taiwan, China took various actions, including floating balloons through Taiwanese airspace and deploying aircraft carriers in the Taiwan Strait, exacerbating tensions and increasing public unease.
China has convinced several of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to switch their recognition to Beijing in recent years, leaving only 12 countries maintaining official relations with Taiwan.
Chinese influence on Laos
In recent years, China has sought to increase its influence in Laos’ mostly rural economy.
China has created a political and economic strategy to persuade Laos to sign agreements for important infrastructure. This plan, known as the Ten-Year Long-Term Program (2016-2025), aims to connect major cities in Laos, maintain a growth rate of at least 7.5%, and reduce poverty to less than 10% of the population.
But partly as a result of the major infrastructure projects, Laos has become burdened with debt of about US$12.2 billion, equal to 64.8% of its gross domestic product..
In its political and economic strategy for Laos, China emphasizes the importance of expanding trade by strengthening market relations and establishing special economic zones.
China exports primarily high-tech goods like computers, cars, and insulated wires to Laos, with an aim, analysts say, of increasing Laos’ dependence on Chinese technologies.
Edited by Mike Firn.