PANAMA CUTS TIES WITH TAIWAN, RECOGNIZES CHINA

Panama switched diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China on Tuesday, the latest development in Beijing’s drive to isolate the self-governing island it claims as its own territory. In Panama, President Juan Carlos Varela announced the change which entails breaking off formal relations with Taiwan. A joint statement said Panama and China were recognizing each other and establishing ambassadorial-level relations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo signed a joint communique establishing diplomatic relations, followed by a champagne toast. China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949 and Beijing has vowed to take control of the island by force if necessary. /