Taiwan's biggest bird society has been ejected from BirdLife International
Credit: Henry Lin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
BirdLife International allegedly adopted a “One China” policy in line with the Chinese government’s views two years before it cut ties with its long-standing conservation partner in Taiwan, according to a leaked email seen by the Telegraph.
The Cambridge-based wildlife charity, which has a network of NGO partnerships around the world, stunned the birdwatching community in September when it expelled the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation (TWBF) after it refused to sign a political pledge not to advocate Taiwanese independence.
The TWBF, an apolitical bird society, which focuses much of its work on protecting the Black-faced Spoonbill and the endangered Chinese Crusted Tern, said it was upset and confused by what it perceived to be a political request and greeted BirdLife’s decision with “great sadness.”
The freshly leaked internal email from May 2018 sheds new light on the possible rationale behind the decision to end the 24-year partnership. It also raises questions about whether a British conservation charity adopted an internationally-disputed position on Taiwan at the behest of the Chinese authorities.
The TWBF engages in public information campaigns about Taiwan's birdlife
Credit: TWBF
“Birdlife will soon be taking up a ‘One China’ policy, and as part of this agreement, it is VERY IMPORTANT that all mentions of ‘Taiwan’ in all our communications are in line with what has been agreed with the SFA of China, our Taiwanese Partner, and other stakeholders,” it said, referring to the State Forestry Association (SFA).
The email, reportedly from the communications team, instructed staff to describe Taiwan as “either Chinese Taiwan or Taiwan, China” and be referred to as a “territory not a country.”
“As far as printed materials go, there is understanding from the Chinese authorities that we are in the process of changing our communications, so no need to chuck all those old brochures in the bin – but if possible, please revise any references,” it continued.
The flap comes amid rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese Communist Party claims ownership of Taiwan and seeks to annex it, threatening to do so by force. The island of some 24 million operates like any other nation with its own democratic government, currency and military even though its international status remains disputed.
One way to progress conservation in Asia would be to have your partner from Taiwan involved in these talks.
Then again, we still don't even know why they aren't there in the first place. @BirdLife_News still hasn't even explained… #birdsdontknowborders. https://t.co/5hch2WJuv2
— Taiwan Birds 台灣🐦 (@TaiwanBirding) November 5, 2020
The UK is an informal ally of Taiwan and the Foreign Office has supported its participation in UN and other international bodies, “where there is precedent for involvement, where Taiwan can contribute to the global good, and where there is no pre-requisite of nationhood for participation.”
Taiwan marks a central point along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and the TWBF has been praised for its work in creating more than 50 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas to protect 640 species of both migratory and resident birds.
The UK’s charity regulator, the Charities Commission, in September opened a compliance case to assess the matter. A spokesperson declined to comment on the “ongoing” case.
Scott Pursner, TWBF’S director of international affairs, said the latest leaked email undermined the legitimacy of the arguments made for the group’s removal from BirdLife.
“BirdLife is supposed to be a non-governmental organisation, so it is disturbing to learn that for at least the last two years, BirdLife may have been following direction from China on its interactions with our organisation,” he said.
On a breezy hill overlooking #Taipei:
What bird (as well as the wind) can be heard? pic.twitter.com/w5z1AXOIpQ
— Taiwan Birds 台灣🐦 (@TaiwanBirding) November 4, 2020
“At no time during our recent discussions did BirdLife ever inform us that it had been communicating with the Chinese government.”
BirdLife’s decision to ditch the TWBF has been controversial among conservationists.
Richard Foster, a British freelance bird guide working in Taiwan for global tour companies, called BirdLife’s position “very insulting,” adding: “imagine them suddenly referring to other partners as ‘English Ireland’, or ‘New Zealand, Australia’!”
If the leaked “One China” email was true, then it came across as political rather than anything to do with conservation – “Why the secrecy? Why not explain anything to TWBF?” he said.
“Birdlife partners in free counties must ask difficult questions to avoid this, otherwise a very admirable organisation’s reputation risks being further damaged.”
The State Forestry Association was contacted for comment, but did not reply.
BirdLife maintained that it does not make public comments on internal partner deliberations or policy discussions. A BirdLife spokesperson confirmed that “the unfortunate and ultimate outcome reached in late summer 2020 was based on lack of partner compliance with the democratically voted rules on following generic UN nomenclature policies.”
The spokesperson added that this was “without reference to any specific geopolitical issue, nor had any country-specific political position been adopted or been part of the rationale for the decision, nor was it taken as a result of any pressure received from or any engagements with any external entities."
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