What has not changed is checkbook diplomacy. Occasionally, even the political yield can be negative. For example, the KMT started building an office tower in Johannesburg when South Africa still had ties with Taipei. But since Pretoria announced it would switch to Beijing, the investment is proving worthless as a diplomatic lever. South Africa is very far away from here.
China is nearer, yet more controversial.
The KMT might be expected to avoid the mainland too, given the mutual animosity, but it isn't. Business before politics seems to be the KMT's motto these days. Because of opposition pressure and because it can no longer rely on the government, the KMT has actually become leaner and richer. In contrast, the opposition is strapped for cash. But charity will do little to narrow the gap.