Development of ROC-France Relations: The Case of an Isolated State and Its Economic Diplomacy

Abstract

This paper attempts to assess the possibility of the Republic of China (ROC) challenging its diplomatic isolation by economic means, taking as an example the case of the ROC’s efforts to develop relations with France. The historical origin of Taiwan’s isolation leads to the central hypothesis that ROC-France relations will be determined by two major factors, i.e., the ROC’s campaign to promote relations via different types of economic diplomacy, and the People`s Republic of China’s (PRC`s) ability to undermine the ROC`s efforts. The study finds that despite the fact that the ROC`s efforts have met with various responses from France, the PRC remains a powerful adversary in this diplomatic war. France may have agreed to upgrade relations with the ROC, but has not attempted to entirely normalize relations so as not to irritate the PRC. A state forced into isolation, in the case of the ROC, may thus be forced to seek a certain degree of accommodation with its main isolator.