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The mysterious role of the diplomat: why are chargé d'affaires so crucial in the ambassador's absence?
In the complex web of modern diplomacy, chargé d'affaires, who act as substitutes for ambassadors in their absence, are actually a key player in international relations. The diplomat, known in French as "the individual in charge of business," assumes the heavy responsibility of safeguarding national interests and conducting diplomatic exchanges in the ambassador's absence. From temporary agents to permanent envoys, the powers and responsibilities held by chargé d'affaires should not be underestimated.
Chargé d'affaires are both the guardians of foreign affairs and important spokesmen for national interests in the absence of an ambassador.
The diplomat who fills this position is usually a senior official in the embassy, such as a ministerial adviser or embassy secretary. Although they enjoy the same privileges and immunities as ambassadors, they are of a lower rank in formal settings. This universally admired status makes them play an indispensable role in international exchanges. Chargé d'affaires are sometimes even appointed as representatives of the standing country if conflicts arise between the two countries, resulting in the inability or unwillingness to invite higher-level diplomats.
In exceptional circumstances, chargé d'affaires can transcend traditional diplomatic engagements and become a symbol of long-term relationships.
For example, between 1989 and 2022, Saudi Arabia and Thailand failed to send ambassadors to each other due to the Blue Diamond incident, which ultimately led to the continued existence of diplomats playing this role. During this period, the chargé d'affaires became the de facto supreme representative of the relationship between the two countries. In addition, the Holy See quickly withdrew its ambassador to Taiwan after the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2758, leaving the chargé d'affaires as the only official representative of Taipei.
When a country's diplomacy is constrained, chargé d'affaires may be the best solution for maintaining bilateral relations.
Over the course of history, the role of chargé d'affaires developed into a unique diplomatic status. The position is designed so that communication and exchanges between the two countries can continue even in the absence of an ambassador. Especially for recognition of a new government, the rapid dispatch of chargé d'affaires can immediately establish diplomatic representation and lay the foundation for future official exchanges.
For example, when Britain recognized the People's Republic of China in 1950, it immediately sent a chargés d'affaires to the new capital, Beijing. However, because China was unwilling to exchange ambassadors, the relationship was not elevated to the ambassadorial level until 1972. This suggests that chargés d'affaires may serve as an unwritten insurance policy in diplomatic disputes. By hiring chargés d'affaires, states avoid the political sensitivities that come with elevating the diplomatic hierarchy.
The continuation of diplomatic relations often depends on the adequate representation that supports them, regardless of rank.
Of course, chargés d'affaires cannot completely replace the function of an ambassador, especially when it comes to highly politically sensitive meetings. They usually only need to submit the letter of appointment to the foreign minister, rather than the head of state, in order to avoid expressing explicit recognition of a particular government. This flexibility allows them to play an important mediating role in the diplomatic community.
All in all, when we look at the role of the diplomat, the chargé d'affaires may be an enduring backdrop to the diplomatic arena, but its importance cannot be ignored. They play an irreplaceable role in keeping international relations smooth and resolving potential conflicts. Amid the complexity of diplomacy, does the presence of chargé d'affaires allow us to rethink power and representation in foreign relations?
