Taiwan boosts spending in Latin America as Beijing works to poach allies

Taiwan plans to boost its spending in Latin America by more than NT$1 billion (US$32.8 million) next year, as it seeks to shore up ties with its few remaining allies in the region and push back against Beijing’s intensifying efforts to lure them away.

According to a budget proposal submitted to Taiwan’s legislature last week, the island’s foreign ministry will allocate NT$5.37 billion to its Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs in the next financial year, up from NT$4.36 billion the previous year.

Alongside bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the ministry plans to spend NT$207.4 million on inviting 330 guests from Latin America and the Caribbean – nearly double the 174 expected this year – to Taiwan next year. The amount is NT$121.7 million higher than this year’s allocation.

The ministry has also earmarked NT$53.8 million for public diplomacy campaigns, including joint workshops with governments, think tanks, universities, non-governmental organisations and media outlets in the region.

By inviting influential figures – such as local officials, academics and public intellectuals – to conferences and forums, Taipei hopes to improve understanding of its policies and development model, promote a positive image, and increase international visibility.