{"id":39445,"date":"2025-04-22T12:03:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T10:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/?p=39445"},"modified":"2025-05-26T13:01:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T11:01:32","slug":"taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/en\/taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji\/","title":{"rendered":"Taiwan Can Help? Exploring \u201cBanana Diplomacy\u201d in Fiji"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"39445\" class=\"elementor elementor-39445\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9ecbfd7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9ecbfd7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9b7156a\" data-id=\"9b7156a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b8069f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b8069f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-no-translation=\"\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Photo: Olimpia Kot<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7592387 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7592387\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-no-translation=\"\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>.elementor-element-7592387{display:none !important}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-316c3cf8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"316c3cf8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e56517e\" data-id=\"2e56517e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1146b17c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1146b17c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-no-translation=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd4c88\" data-id=\"dd4c88\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f17096e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f17096e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What is happening?<\/h2><p><strong>Bananas are an essential diplomatic asset<\/strong>. At least in Fiji, where Taiwan\u2013despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with Suva\u2013has made its footprint through <strong>supporting the island nation\u2019s agriculture<\/strong> since 1978. Last June witnessed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techinpacific.com\/fiji-launches-state-of-the-art-agriculture-technology-transfer-center-to-revolutionize-farming-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">opening<\/a> of <strong>the Center for Agriculture Technology Transfer,<\/strong> a new location of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in the outskirts of the Fijian capital. Indeed, bananas are one of the key projects of the Center, which seeks to support the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.itfnet.org\/v1\/2024\/05\/fiji-plans-to-revive-banana-market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">efforts<\/a> to <strong>revive<\/strong> <strong>the<\/strong> <strong>country\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>banana<\/strong> <strong>market.<\/strong> Once a significant <strong>export<\/strong> <strong>commodity,<\/strong> its production has dwindled due to <strong>extreme weather phenomena<\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org\/doi\/full\/10.1079\/pwkb.species.35304\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yellow Sigatoka<\/a>, <strong>a fungal disease<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Taiwan\u2019s cooperation with Fiji demonstrates how the former can <strong>leverage its expertise in providing technical assistance<\/strong> and <strong>capacity-building<\/strong> to <strong>expand its international space <\/strong>despite China\u2019s efforts to suppress and isolate the sovereign democracy.<\/p><h2>\u00a0<\/h2><h2>What is the broader picture?<\/h2><p>Since the Cold War, Taiwan has sought to leverage its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucpress.edu\/books\/in-the-global-vanguard\/paper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">model<\/a> of <strong>agrarian development<\/strong> to project its <strong>modernity<\/strong> and <strong>technical prowess <\/strong>to international partners, seeking positive reputational externalities. Already in 1959, when Taiwan was still a net beneficiary of development assistance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.taipeitimes.com\/News\/feat\/archives\/2025\/03\/19\/2003833665\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">primarily<\/a> from the United States, Taipei <a href=\"https:\/\/escholarship.org\/uc\/item\/79x3r89n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">established<\/a> its first <strong>agricultural mission in the Republic of Vietnam<\/strong> to assist primarily with <strong>crop improvement <\/strong>and <strong>capacity building of farmers&#8217; associations<\/strong>.<\/p><p>In Fiji, Taiwan <a href=\"https:\/\/islandsbusiness.com\/partner-advertorials\/fiji-taiwan-50-years-of-enduring-friendship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">established<\/a> its <strong>first agricultural mission in 1978<\/strong> in Seaqaqa, Vanua Levu, focusing on improving <strong>productivity of sugarcane farms<\/strong>, a critical cash crop.\u00a0 Today, the TTM is heaquartered in Nausori, in close proximity to the airport and the nation\u2019s capital, <strong>increasing the visibility of Taiwan\u2019s operations<\/strong> and <strong>facilitating synergies with third countries<\/strong> who are also active as development partners in Fiji. In light of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/sustainable-food-systems\/articles\/10.3389\/fsufs.2024.1358647\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>decline<\/strong><\/a><strong> of the Fijian sugarcane industry<\/strong> (the share of sugar and molasses in the total volume of exports shrank from 38 percent in 1995 to 6.7 percent in 2023), Taiwan shifted its model to \u201c<strong>fruit diplomacy<\/strong>,\u201d successfully introducing new varieties of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icdf.org.tw\/wSite\/ct?xItem=41590&amp;ctNode=31572&amp;mp=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>guava<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.taiwantoday.tw\/Snapshots\/248498\/Apt-fruit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>dragonfruit<\/strong><\/a>. The <strong>comprehensive model of agricultural cooperation <\/strong>in cultivation of these crops does not stop merely with the introduction of new varieties, but also includes <strong>capacity building <\/strong>to develop an <strong>adaptable farming system,<\/strong> <strong>extend production volume<\/strong> and <strong>consistency<\/strong>, and unveil <strong>new commercial opportunities<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>The current focus of TTM on bananas builds upon <strong>Taiwan\u2019s rich experience<\/strong> in supporting adaptable cultivation of the fruit in response to diseases and the climate crisis. Fiji mainly grows the <strong>Cavendish variety<\/strong> \u2013 one of the most common cultivars whose monoculture renders it particularly <strong>vulnerable to disease and fungal outbreaks<\/strong>. As Fiji <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freshplaza.com\/europe\/article\/9705463\/fiji-considers-banana-exports-to-diversify-agriculture-amid-sugar-industry-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">considers<\/a> <strong>expanding export-oriented banana production<\/strong> in response to the continued shrinkage of sugarcane plantations, Taiwanese <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ttmfiji\/posts\/taiwan-is-helping-fiji-improve-tissue-culture-technologyttm-is-guiding-technicia\/406500525429487\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">novel technique<\/a> of <strong>tissue cultivation<\/strong> could positively <strong>contribute to economic development<\/strong> of the Pacific nation. The <strong>Taiwan Banana Research Institute<\/strong> in southern Taiwan boasts a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.promusa.org\/Taiwan+Banana+Research+Institute+-+TBRI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strong track record<\/a> in <strong>developing new resilient cultivars of bananas<\/strong>, whereas the<strong> International Cooperation and Development Fund <\/strong>(ICDF) has successfully implemented<strong> technical assistance projects for banana farmers <\/strong>in other countries, including <a href=\"https:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/belize\/taiwan-technical-mission-belize-introduced-taiwans-formosana-aaa-enhance-capability-belize-bananas-resist-fusarium-tr4-banana\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Belize<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/stluciastar.com\/taiwan-technical-mission-finds-solution-to-help-banana-farmers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Saint<\/strong><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/stluciastar.com\/taiwan-technical-mission-finds-solution-to-help-banana-farmers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Lucia<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p><p>In the northern part of Viti Levu, Taiwan is also active in <strong>aquaculture<\/strong>, supporting white shrimp and rabbitfish cultivation at its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roc-taiwan.org\/fj_en\/post\/2022.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Caboni Multi-Hatchery Station<\/a>. Additionally, ICDF is also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icdf.org.tw\/wSite\/ct?xItem=72267&amp;ctNode=31549&amp;mp=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporting<\/a> a project focused on <strong>digitization in healthcare<\/strong>.<\/p><h2>\u00a0<\/h2><h2>Why does it matter?<\/h2><p>Given its <strong>international isolation<\/strong> amid <strong>China\u2019s diplomatic belligerence<\/strong>, Taiwan is unable to build and maintain its global partnerships through traditional diplomatic channels. Consequently, its<strong> positive offer<\/strong> of pragmatic, issue-based development cooperation constitutes an <strong>important channel <\/strong>for engaging partners, especially those in the Global Majority. Particularly under Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe &#8220;Frank&#8221; Bainimarama (in office 2007-2022), <strong>China<\/strong> has been able to significantly <a href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2023\/05\/china-in-the-pacific-the-fiji-case\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expand<\/a> its footprint in Fiji. Yet, the current <strong>three-party coalition <\/strong>has been <strong>more open<\/strong> to pursuing <strong>muted albeit substantive cooperation<\/strong> with Taiwan. Leaders from <strong>Fiji have visited Taiwan<\/strong> and have <strong>advocated<\/strong> on several occasions for <strong>Taiwan&#8217;s participation in international organizations<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ocacnews.net\/article\/355746\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to diplomatic sources. Consequently, continued engagement between Taiwan and Fiji, particularly in key sectors of the latter\u2019s economy, can lead to <strong>mutually beneficial cooperation<\/strong>, allowing the Asian nation to leverage its experience in agricultural innovation to boost its reputation, while helping the Pacific country diversify its export and secure more <strong>sustainable economic growth<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Photo: Olimpia Kot Foto: Olimpia Kot What is happening? Bananas are an essential diplomatic asset. At least in Fiji, where Taiwan\u2013despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with Suva\u2013has made its footprint through supporting the island nation\u2019s agriculture since 1978. Last June witnessed the opening of the Center for Agriculture Technology Transfer, a new location [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":39451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[500],"tags":[495,538],"class_list":["post-39445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-marcin-jerzewski","tag-olimpia-kot"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Taiwan Can Help? Exploring \u201cBanana Diplomacy\u201d in Fiji - European Values Center for Security Policy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/en\/taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Taiwan Can Help? Exploring \u201cBanana Diplomacy\u201d in Fiji - European Values Center for Security Policy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Photo: Olimpia Kot Foto: Olimpia Kot What is happening? Bananas are an essential diplomatic asset. At least in Fiji, where Taiwan\u2013despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with Suva\u2013has made its footprint through supporting the island nation\u2019s agriculture since 1978. 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Exploring \u201cBanana Diplomacy\u201d in Fiji - European Values Center for Security Policy","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/en\/taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Taiwan Can Help? Exploring \u201cBanana Diplomacy\u201d in Fiji - European Values Center for Security Policy","og_description":"Photo: Olimpia Kot Foto: Olimpia Kot What is happening? Bananas are an essential diplomatic asset. At least in Fiji, where Taiwan\u2013despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with Suva\u2013has made its footprint through supporting the island nation\u2019s agriculture since 1978. Last June witnessed the opening of the Center for Agriculture Technology Transfer, a new location [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/en\/taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji\/","og_site_name":"European Values Center for Security Policy","article_published_time":"2025-04-22T10:03:15+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-05-26T11:01:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2160,"height":1136,"url":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/banana_art.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ond\u0159ej Ber\u00e1nek","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ond\u0159ej Ber\u00e1nek","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/taiwan-can-help-exploring-banana-diplomacy-in-fiji\/"},"author":{"name":"Ond\u0159ej Ber\u00e1nek","@id":"https:\/\/europeanvalues.cz\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/7724fb271acacd215231c937a200a510"},"headline":"Taiwan Can Help? 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