ABSTRACT
The combined effect of the anticommunist euphoria, China’s negative image resulting from the June 4th suppression of the student movement and the post-communist states’ need for grants, loans and investments created a favourable environment for a ‘substantive’ – if not diplomatic – partnership between Taiwan and post-communist Europe. However, the new democracies in the early stage of systemic transformations pursued foreign policy intended to strengthen relations with the West. Their preoccupation with domestic affairs and the ‘return to Europe’ ensured that Taipei would find it difficult to stage diplomatic miracles in the region. Yet, Taiwanese diplomacy was not discouraged. Among former Soviet allies, Taipei saw potential in Central Europe’s Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, whose anti-communist sentiments and – above all – need for developmental assistance rendered them susceptible to the influence attempts based on aid, trade and investment instruments.
