Dear Sir
How do superpowers treat smaller nations? An example can be seen in how Communist China threatens little yet mighty Lithuania. Lithuania has allowed Taiwan to open an office in their capital Vilnius. This gives Taiwan official status and recognition in Lithuania and The Baltic Nations too. A problem for China indeed.
You see Communist China claims Taiwan as a portion of the “Greater China”, never recognizing Taiwan, threatening this nation constantly. China has made it plain to the world that recognizing Taiwan is a challenge to its Imperial plans, its future “Colonial” acquisition of the island of Taiwan and its large Chinese population.
China’s threat to degrade all Chinese diplomatic channels with Lithuania will send, “Lithuania to the garbage bin of history”. A strong threat to a small nation like Lithuania’ 2.7 million citizens and her neighbour’s. Economic and diplomatic pressure will assuredly be placed upon this small nation. Our world has a few superpowers all of whom will try to get their way economically and diplomatically. Manipulating, bribing and creating “partnerships” with smaller nations in order to compete. Imagine what would happen if a small nation in the Caribbean would have the courage to do what Lithuania has done.
Every island nation in the Caribbean has the financial tentacles of China working within their borders, investing, purchasing, managing public and private business. Say, Guyana or Barbados simply welcome Thailand to open an economic development office and follows this up with a recognition of the island state of Thailand. What would China do? Its financial power is significant in the Caribbean. What China cannot politically co-op it will buy.
The politics of world domination continue. That is what is going on here, financial and ideological competition. These past decades China has claimed Thailand, parts of the Philippines, conquered its neighbours Nepal, invaded Vietnam and Laos, while claiming small island masses off the shore of Japan and Cambodia. A Communist Empire expanding through military or financial means, but certainly expanding.
So, what can smaller nations do to protect themselves from super-power encroachment? Unite and find the strength to withstand any super-power bully. The Baltic states are much like the Caribbeans Island Nations, smaller populations with growing economic influence who need to live in this crazed political ocean.
Hopefully, Lithuania’s courageous diplomatic step will bring about further international recognition for Thailand, but also the importance of smaller nations on the world scene and how they respond to Tyrant’s threats.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
