Taiwan–Caribbean relations

Taiwan–Caribbean relations refer to the diplomatic, economic, developmental, and people-to-people interactions between Taiwan (formally the Republic of China) and countries in the Caribbean region. The Caribbean has played a significant role in Taiwan's foreign relations, as several Caribbean states are among the small number of countries that maintain formal diplomatic recognition of Taiwan rather than the People's Republic of China (PRC). These relationships have been shaped by international competition for diplomatic recognition, development cooperation, and shifting regional and global geopolitics.^[1]

As of 2026, nine states in the Caribbean recognized the PRC and four recognized the ROC.^[2] The region has therefore remained one of the most important diplomatic strongholds for Taiwan in the Western Hemisphere.

Taiwan's engagement with the Caribbean emerged in the context of the Chinese Civil War and its aftermath. After the Retreat of the government of the Republic of China to Taiwan, it retained diplomatic recognition from a number of countries worldwide, including several in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the Cold War, geopolitical alignment, anti-communism, and development assistance influenced many Caribbean governments' decisions to recognize Taipei instead of Beijing.^[3]

Prior to the United States and the PRC establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1972, Beijing had limited diplomatic influence in the Western Hemisphere outside of Cuba. Over subsequent decades, however, the PRC expanded its presence in the Caribbean through trade, infrastructure financing, and political engagement. This led several Caribbean states to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, particularly from the late 1990s onward.^[4]

As of 2026, Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with the following Caribbean countries: Belize, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These countries are among a total of fewer than 15 states worldwide that officially recognize Taiwan. Caribbean governments supporting Taiwan have regularly spoken on its behalf in international forums, including the United Nations General Assembly, where they have advocated for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.^[5]

Saint Lucia has shifted recognition more than once, recognizing the PRC in 1997 before restoring diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2007.^[6] Haiti has remained a consistent diplomatic ally, despite domestic political instability and security challenges.^[7][8]

Taiwan–Caribbean relations have been strongly influenced by diplomatic competition with the PRC. Beijing has sought to persuade Taiwan's remaining allies to switch recognition through offers of large-scale loans, infrastructure projects, and investment.^[9] Since the launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, several countries in the broader Caribbean Basin, including the Dominican Republic, have shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing.^[10]

Each electoral cycle in Taiwan's diplomatic allies is often viewed as a potential inflection point for diplomatic realignment. In March 2023, Honduras severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established ties with the PRC, reinforcing concerns in Taipei about the fragility of its remaining alliances.^[11]

Taiwan's approach to maintaining diplomatic relations in the Caribbean has emphasized targeted development assistance, particularly in sectors aligned with the needs of small island economies. Areas of cooperation have included:

• Agriculture and food security
• Technical and vocational training
• Education and student exchanges
• Healthcare and medical infrastructure
• Disaster preparedness and reconstruction

One prominent example is Taiwan's provision of a loan to support the reconstruction of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Saint Lucia after a fire in 2009.^[12] Taiwanese assistance has also included advisory missions and capacity-building programs rather than large-scale infrastructure construction. Analysts and former diplomats have noted that Taiwan's development aid model is often perceived by local officials as appropriately scaled for small economies, in contrast to large, debt-financed infrastructure projects.^[13]

Trade volumes between Taiwan and Caribbean states are relatively modest compared with Taiwan's trade with larger economies. Economic engagement has therefore focused more heavily on development financing, technical cooperation, and niche investments rather than broad commercial exchange.

Taiwan has also supported regional development initiatives through partnerships with international organizations. Since 2012, Taiwan has cooperated with the Pan American Development Foundation on projects related to disaster recovery, infrastructure development, capacity building, and gender empowerment across Latin America and the Caribbean.^[14]

In the 2020s, Taiwan expanded funding under its Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, allocating resources to support economic development, industrial transformation, and youth empowerment in allied Caribbean countries.^[15]

Educational cooperation has been a central pillar of Taiwan–Caribbean relations.^[16] People-to-people exchanges, including official visits, cultural activities, and academic cooperation, have been used to reinforce bilateral ties and raise Taiwan's profile in the region.^[17] Taiwan offers scholarships and training programs for Caribbean students in areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), agriculture, and public administration.^[18]

In 2023, Taiwan launched the EcoYouth Ventures initiative in cooperation with the Pan American Development Foundation.^[19] The program focuses on youth and educator training in Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with an emphasis on STEM education and sustainable tourism. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 1,500 young people over a two-year period.^[20]

Caribbean allies have played an outsized role in advocating for Taiwan's international participation. For example, leaders from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Kitts and Nevis have publicly called for Taiwan’s inclusion in selected United Nations agencies, citing principles of inclusivity and international cooperation.^[21] These diplomatic efforts have continued despite limited prospects for Taiwan's formal participation in the UN system, given the PRC's position and influence.

Taiwan–Caribbean relations face ongoing challenges, including^[22]:

• Intensifying diplomatic pressure from the PRC
• Economic constraints faced by small Caribbean states
• Competition between development assistance models
• Regional geopolitical dynamics involving the United States and China

While Caribbean governments continue to cite tangible benefits from relations with Taiwan, analysts have suggested that long-term diplomatic loyalty may be difficult to sustain if alternative sources of financing become more attractive.^[23] Taiwan has responded by increasing engagement budgets, hosting more official delegations, and expanding cooperation with both diplomatic allies and non-recognizing partners in the region.^[24]

Relations between Taiwan and the Caribbean

Sovereign states

Dependent territories

• Foreign relations of Taiwan
• China–Caribbean relations
• One-China policy