Taiwan's trade office in Dhaka

Bangladesh has been committed to "One China" policy from its birth. The commitment means that Taiwan is a ‘Renegade province’ of China and Bangladesh supports its unification with China. Bangladesh has consistently maintained its "Three No" policy to Taiwan -- No Two China, No independence and No representation in UN or other inter-governmental forums. Bangladesh never recognised Taiwan as an independent entity in any international forum. In recent days, Foreign Minister Morshed Khan reportedly reiterated this policy of Bangladesh towards Taiwan.

China is obviously very sensitive to Taiwan's strategy to broaden its participation in international community, in particular at a time when Taiwan's current President Chen Shui-bian has been causing irritation to China by holding a referendum together with the Presidential election on the status of Taiwan. Many observers have suggested that the holding of a referendum is an "election gimmick" and Taiwan has been warned by the US not to do anything that complicates its relations with China.

Let us make one thing very clear. The opening of an unofficial trade office does not amount to diplomatic relations. Diplomatic relations have been defined in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 2 of the Vienna Convention states that "the establishment of diplomatic relations between States…takes place by mutual consent".

It means that diplomatic relations may only take place between two sovereign States. States come into existence only through recognition. Bangladesh recognises only one China. Therefore the question of official or diplomatic relations with Taiwan does not arise through allowing an unofficial trade office in Dhaka.

Many countries, while maintaining diplomatic relations with China, still maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan to deal with commercial issues. For example, Taiwan under the name of "Chinese Taipeh" maintains an unofficial "Trade Representative Office" in Britain. This has created no problem between China and Britain. It may be recalled that Taiwan participates in Olympic Games and other international sporting events under "Chinese Taipei".

Many countries' national airlines operate services to Taiwan using a different name. For instance, British Airways' subsidiary "British Asia Airways" flies to Taiwan. Australia does the same thing with Taiwan.

Trade office is a commercial entity and can be maintained through a private company of Taiwan in overseas. It may only work with private sector. The sensitive problem of issuing visa is ordinarily resolved through a mechanism as agreed. For instance, visa for foreign nationals is issued either on arrival in Taiwan or visa for Taiwanese nationals by consular offices in nearest embassies.

Bangladesh's relations with China have steadily grown since China recognised Bangladesh in 1975. Bangladesh's relation with China has been one of the priorities of its foreign policy. Every head of Bangladesh government visited China to consolidate its relations. China has been a valuable partner to Bangladesh in its development activities. Bangladesh-China relationship is based on mutual respect and trust. The elements of engagement with China are directed to many sectors in the country.

Bangladesh is a Least Developed Country and has a massive challenge to improve the quality of life of its 135 million people. Trade is the principal way to engage itself with outsiders to enhance its commercial activities. In fact China's one of the major investors is Taiwan.

The existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and China should not be allowed to be dented in any manner because of a reported decision allowing an unofficial trade office of Taiwan in Dhaka. China understands Bangladesh's commitment to "One China" policy and since China has allowed Taiwan's unofficial trade offices in other countries, it will hopefully adopt the same policy towards Bangladesh. The temporary diplomatic problem must be resolved in a spirit of mutual trust, understanding and accommodation between the two friendly states.

Barrister Harun ur Rashid is a former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.