Taiwanese President Cutting Short Africa Visit Taiwan's president is cutting short his upcoming trip to Africa to cement ties with the island's allies, amid renewed concerns over Taiwan's improved relations with Beijing. President Ma Ying-jeou will depart Saturday for Burkina Faso, Gambia and Swaziland. But he has dropped a scheduled visit to Sao Tome and Principe, with the West African nation's president saying he won't be there to receive him. Last week, Sao Tome and Principe participated at an economic forum China hosted in Macau for Portuguese-speaking nations. Under its recent China rapprochement, Taiwan has maintained its pool of 23 allies that formally recognize the island. But there are unconfirmed news reports that say some of these nations may be moving to recognize Beijing with its rising economic power.