Russia Inadvertently Recognizes Taiwan As A Country On Its 'Unfriendly Actions' List, Sparking Memes About How China Might React

Yesterday, the Russian government issued a list of 43 “unfriendly countries,” which strangely included the microstate San Marino but also Taiwan, inadvertently recognizing that Taiwan is, in fact, a country.

Thank you Russia for confirming that Taiwan is a different country from China. pic.twitter.com/2xEFHhOdw6

— 郭建仁 (@BoZgeMERS1f5vL2) March 7, 2022

For decades, the People’s Republic of China has used its influence and clout around the world to prevent other countries from recognizing Taiwan as independent, arguing that the island of nearly 24 million people is rightfully its territory. As a result of Chinese intimidation (and the nation’s veto power on the UN Security Council and sway in economics), no major power recognizes Taiwan as a country.

As a result, memers on Twitter and other platforms speculated what the consequences of Russia’s accidental recognition of Taiwan would be.

China when Russia includes Taiwan on a list of unfriendly COUNTRIES: pic.twitter.com/fq6kCCpF4A

— danny ocean 🌊 (@DanielOceania) March 8, 2022

Russia admits Taiwan is a country. pic.twitter.com/QlWiBhEhXC

— 📡IFE News Agency🚨 (@IFENewsAgency) March 8, 2022

Alliance with China is important for an increasingly isolated Russia. With harsh sanctions in place due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China is now the only country Russia can import advanced technology from and one of the few places where Russians can still conduct business. Recent intelligence assessments also reported that Russia waited to start the Ukraine invasion until after the Beijing Olympics at China’s request. Additionally, public statements from leaders in both countries indicate that they increasingly see themselves as aligned in opposition to the U.S. and the American-led post-Cold War world order. Chinese state media has also begun to echo Russian state media’s account of the war in Ukraine.

Chinese media outlets are told to avoid posting "anything unfavorable to Russia or pro-Western" on their social media accounts and to only use hashtags started by Chinese state media outlets, according to a leaked censorship order. ⁦@BethanyAllenEbr⁩ https://t.co/AamAOMknQT

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) March 8, 2022

China says friendship with Russia is 'rock solid' https://t.co/IPz1HIBgnN pic.twitter.com/m6NSjhIJSN

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 7, 2022

Memers joked that the inclusion of Taiwan on Russia’s list might complicate that new partnership in a slew of humorous takes into today.

Russia: Puts Taiwan in the list of unfriendly COUNTRIES

China: – pic.twitter.com/SFAuecIQdV

— Ninguém (@ElegantJockey) March 8, 2022

Joe Biden’s plan of giving China our secret Russian intelligence isn’t working. pic.twitter.com/gXTMggGcX3

— BDW (@BryanDeanWright) March 8, 2022

The partnership between Ukraine and Taiwan is also close. Like Ukraine, Taiwan lives under a similar threat of invasion from a larger neighbor that believes it is not a sovereign nation. Also like Ukraine, Taiwan has sought the support of the United States and other Western powers, although, unlike Ukraine, it has some guarantees that could pull the U.S. into a war if Taiwan was ever invaded.

Interestingly, the President of Taiwan recently decorated her office with orchids resembling the colors of the Ukrainian flag with a message of support for the country.

I've decorated my office with these orchids to signify #Taiwan's continued support for #Ukraine. I hope that freedom & democracy can continue to blossom in both our countries. pic.twitter.com/9gSvG8G03G

— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) March 8, 2022

Many speculate that the Chinese government and military are closely monitoring the war in Ukraine and the world’s response to it, gauging the level of opposition an invasion of Taiwan would provoke. By all indications, Russia and China's alliance will survive this rather awkward moment, but it certainly was a memeable one.