Taiwan breaks relations as El Salvador moves closer to China

Taiwan says it is breaking off diplomatic ties with El Salvador as the Central American country plans to move closer to China.

The move is the latest blow to the self-governing island, which Beijing has been trying to isolate.

The break in ties means Taiwan is recognised as a sovereign nation by only 17 mainly small, developing countries.

This year, the West African nation of Burkina Faso and the Dominican Republic broke ties with Taiwan and resumed or established diplomatic relations with China.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu yesterday condemned what he called China’s campaign of luring allies with promises of aid and investment.

“It is irresponsible to engage in financial aid diplomacy or compete with China in cash, or even in providing illegal political money. My government is unwilling to and cannot do so,” Mr Wu said.

Some analysts say Chinese President Xi Jinping seems determined to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control during his time in office.

The island’s 23 million residents are strongly in favour of maintaining their de facto independent status but Mr Xi has warned a Taiwanese envoy that the issue of unification cannot be put off indefinitely.

“We are a democratic and free country,” Mr Wu said. “This is a fact that the authoritarian regime cannot tolerate.”