Gain a global perspective on the US and go beyond with curated news and analysis from 600 journalists in 50+ countries covering politics, business, innovation, trends and more.</s>Aug. 21 (UPI) -- China and El Salvador forged diplomatic ties on Tuesday, leaving Beijing's rival Taiwan with 17 diplomatic allies.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Salvadoran counterpart Carlos Castaneda signed the joint communiqué on diplomatic relations in Beijing, Xinhua reported.

"The Government of the Republic of El Salvador recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," the communiqué read, according to the report.

There may have been economic incentives for the Central American nation to switch to Beijing, according to South Korean newspaper Seoul Shinmun.

China's offer of military weapons, support for port construction cost and coverage of El Salvadoran election expenses worked in favor of the decision to cancel diplomatic relations with Taiwan, according to the report.

In Taipei, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said El Salvador had asked Taiwan for an "astronomical sum" of financial assistance to prevent the suspension of bilateral ties.

In response to the request, Wu said all cooperative projects would end and diplomatic staff pulled out of the country.

Beijing may stand to gain from the El Salvadoran decision as tensions continue with the United States over trade and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

"Adhering to the one-China principle is a universally recognized international norm and the consensus of the international community, as well as the fundamental foundation for China to establish and develop relations with any country.

"El Salvador has now stood with the overwhelming majority of the countries in the world by resolutely deciding to recognize and make a commitment to abiding by the one-China principle, and to establish diplomatic ties with China without any preconditions," Wang said.

Earlier on Twitter U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., had said the El Salvador's decision would cause "real harm" to its relations with the United States.</s>El Salvador has formally broken off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established full ties with China, leaving Taipei with a dwindling list of allies.

At a meeting with his Salvadoran counterpart in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised the Latin American state's decision to "recognise there is one China in the world".

"This further goes to show the One China policy is in line with international norms, is the correct choice... and is the basis of China's relation with any country," he said.

After signing a document with Wang establishing relations, Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda said his country had made a "strategic decision" and took the "correct and beneficial path for the people of both nations".

The decision leaves the number of states that recognise Taiwan at just 17.

Taiwan broke off ties before the signing ceremony, when El Salvador's intentions became clear.

"Losing (a) diplomatic ally is not an isolated incident. It is part of China's string of sabre rattling and intimidation," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said at a press conference in Taipei.

The news came just after Tsai, who is trying to raise Taiwan's international profile, wrapped up a Latin American tour which included stops in the United States, which drew criticism from China. She visited allies Belize and Paraguay during the trip.

Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu said Taipei "will not engage in dollar diplomacy with China", adding that El Salvador had been asking for "huge funding" for a port development project, which Taiwan was unwilling to give because it would leave both countries in debt.

El Salvador's decision comes amid a drive by Beijing to cut off diplomatic support for Taiwan.

In the past year Burkina Faso and the Dominican joined China's side, and in previous years Panama and the tiny African state of Sao Tome have also done the same.

Taiwan and China have been engaged for years in a diplomatic tug-of-war in developing countries.

Economic support and other incentives are often used as bargaining chips for diplomatic recognition</s>There was no immediate announcement of Chinese financial investment in the port from the Salvadoran government.

This morning Norman Quijano, ARENA leader and president of the National Assembly, tweeted that the rupture of diplomatic ties with Taiwan was the worst decision of a Salvadoran government. He pointed to a suspension of aid from Taiwan as well as potential damage to relations with the US as negative consequences of the decision.

US Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes tweeted that El Salvador's decision was "worrying for many reasons" and "without a doubt" would impact the US relationship with the government of El Salvador. (Apparently the fact that the US has full diplomatic relations with China does not factor into which friends the US allows small Latin American countries to have).

Taiwan has been a significant benefactor to El Salvador since the end of the civil war, and Taiwanese business interests operate many maquila factories in the garment industry in the country. While the diplomatic move could be partly explained by the socialist FMLN government preferring the communist government of mainland China, my guess is that China simply outbid Taiwan.

The government of El Salvador made a surprise announcement yesterday that it was establishing diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China and severing its ties with Taiwan. From Reuters</s>TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan broke off diplomatic ties with El Salvador on Tuesday as the Central American country defected to rival Beijing in the latest blow to the self-ruled island China has been trying to isolate on the global stage.

The break in ties means Taiwan is recognized as a sovereign nation by only 17 mainly small, developing countries. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that his government has established ties with El Salvador.

Taiwan split from mainland China amid civil war in 1949, and Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory, campaigns relentlessly to isolate the island globally. It cut off relations with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's government shortly after she took office in 2016 and has been steadily ratcheting up both diplomatic and economic pressure.

Earlier 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 on Tuesday condemned what he called China's campaign of luring away Taiwan's allies with promises of vast financial aid and investment.

Taiwan is willing to consider cooperating with its allies in education, farming or even infrastructure initiatives, Wu said, but refuses to compete with China in buying diplomatic support. "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."

Some analysts say Chinese President Xi Jinping, one of the most powerful Chinese leaders in decades, seems determined to bring Taiwan under Beijing's control during his time in office, which would place him in the history books alongside Mao Zedong.

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

Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren said on national television that the decision to end relations with Taiwan and establish ties with China was made after careful analysis.

In Beijing, Salvadoran foreign minister Carlos Castaneda told reporters at a joint briefing with Wang that China is a strategic partner that can help his country.

"Our government makes this decision to create conditions to change the historical standing of our country and to really elevate the livelihood of our people," Castaneda said. "El Salvador has a long history of struggle. Today, through our decision making, we hope that we can bring benefits to all our citizens, to bring hope to everyone and to be better prepared for future challenges."

The move comes just a day after China's foreign ministry said it had complained to the U.S. over Tsai's visits this month to Los Angeles and Houston while in transit to diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize.

The administration of President Donald Trump has been boosting relations with Taiwan amid a brewing trade war with Beijing.

Taiwan's Wu urged the island's people to unite despite the pressure the government was facing diplomatically.

"I want to emphasize that China's suppression of Taiwan has never stopped. We are a democratic and free country. This is a fact that the authoritarian regime cannot tolerate," he said. "We in Taiwan will continue to move forward."

Marcos Aleman contributed to this report from San Salvador, El Salvador.</s>BEIJING, Aug 21 — China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations this morning as the Central American nation broke ties with Taiwan, the latest country to ditch Taipei for Beijing.

The foreign ministers of both countries sealed the move as they signed a document at a ceremony in Beijing to establish relations between the two countries. — AFP</s>TAIPEI, Taiwan >> Taiwan broke off diplomatic ties with El Salvador on Tuesday as the Central American country defected to rival Beijing in the latest blow to the self-ruled island China has been trying to isolate on the global stage.

The break in ties means Taiwan is recognized as a sovereign nation by only 17 mainly small, developing countries. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that his government had established ties with El Salvador.

“History will prove that establishing diplomatic relations with China is in full accordance with the fundamental and long-term interests of the country and the people of El Salvador,” Wang said.

Taiwan split from mainland China amid civil war in 1949, and Beijing, which considers Taiwan its territory, campaigns relentlessly to isolate the island globally. It cut off relations with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s government shortly after she took office in 2016 and has been steadily ratcheting up both diplomatic and economic pressure.

Earlier 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.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Tuesday condemned what he called China’s campaign of luring away Taiwan’s allies with promises of vast financial aid and investment.

Taiwan is willing to consider cooperating with its allies in education, farming or even infrastructure initiatives, Wu said, but refuses to compete with China in buying diplomatic support.

Wu said that El Salvador had repeatedly sought large amounts of funding from Taiwan for a port project that a Taiwanese team of engineers dispatched by the government thought wasn’t economically feasible.

“We think this is an inappropriate development plan that risks causing both countries to fall into great debt,” Wu said, noting that some developing countries were increasingly concerned about the risks of unsustainable debt linked to Chinese investments.

Wu said El Salvador’s ruling party was also expecting Taiwan to provide funds to help it win in elections, but Taiwan refused.

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

Some analysts say Chinese President Xi Jinping, one of the most powerful Chinese leaders in decades, seems determined to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control during his time in office, which would place him in the history books alongside Mao Zedong.

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

Salvadoran President Salvador Sanchez Ceren said on national television that China and El Salvador would discuss ways to cooperate in trade, investment and infrastructure development.

“It will give great benefits to the country and provide extraordinary opportunities on a personal level to each one of you,” he said.

The move comes just a day after China’s foreign ministry said it had complained to the U.S. over Taiwanese President Tsai’s visits this month to Los Angeles and Houston while in transit to diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize.

The administration of President Donald Trump has been boosting relations with Taiwan amid a brewing trade war with Beijing.

Tsai urged the island’s people to unite despite the pressure the government was facing diplomatically.

“Taiwan will not yield because of pressure,” Tsai said in a televised address. “We will be stronger and more united, and this will strengthen Taiwan’s determination to go out.”

Marcos Aleman in San Salvador, El Salvador, contributed to this report.</s>El Salvador's Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda stands as his country's national anthem is played at a signing ceremony to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations between El Salvador and China at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Taiwan says it is breaking off diplomatic ties with El Salvador because the Central American country plans to defect to rival Beijing. The move is the latest blow to the self-ruled island that China has been trying to isolate on the global stage. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)</s>Taiwan lost another ally to Beijing on Tuesday when diplomatic ties with El Salvador were severed, as China presses the remaining nations with diplomatic links to Taipei to end them.

TAIPEI/BEIJING: Taiwan vowed on Tuesday to fight China's "increasingly out of control" behaviour after Taipei lost another ally to Beijing when El Salvador became the third country to switch allegiances to China this year.

Taiwan now has formal relations with just 17 countries worldwide, many of them smaller, less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific like Belize and Nauru.

Speaking in Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan will not bow to pressure, describing the El Salvador move as further evidence of China's efforts to squeeze the island, which have included regular Chinese bomber patrols around Taiwan.

"We will turn to countries with similar values to fight together against China's increasingly out-of-control international behaviour," Tsai said.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told reporters earlier that Taipei was not willing to engage in "money competition" with its giant neighbour.

He said El Salvador had been continuously asking for "massive funding support" since last year for a port development, but Taiwan was unable to assist with the "unsuitable project" after assessment.

"Pressure from China would only make Taiwan more determined to continue our path of democracy and freedom," he said.

"China's rude and unreasonable behaviour will certainly have negative impact to cross-strait relations. This is also not how a responsible country should behave."

In Beijing, the Chinese government's top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi said El Salvador had made the right decision.

"I'm confident that the people of El Salvador will feel the warmth and friendship of the Chinese people and derive tangible benefits from its cooperation with China," Wang told reporters alongside his El Salvador counterpart Carlos Castaneda, shortly after the pair signed an agreement establishing ties.

Separately, El Salvador's President Salvador Sanchez Ceren announced in a nationally televised speech that his government had broken off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and instead established new diplomatic ties with China.

Sanchez Ceren said the central American country, which built ties with the Republic of China government in 1933, would see "great benefits" and "extraordinary opportunities" in the new relationship with Beijing.

Taiwan's formal name is the Republic of China, whose government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the Communists.

"We are convinced this is a step in the right direction that corresponds to the principles of international law of international relations and the inevitable trends of our time," he said.

In Beijing, Castaneda said it was a strategic decision his government made to "create conditions to change the historical standing of our country and to really elevate the livelihood of our people".

Taiwan has accused China of luring its friends away with offers of generous aid packages. China denies this, and says Taiwan is a part of China with no right to formal diplomatic ties with any other country.

The news comes as Tsai wrapped up a high-profile trip to Latin America, including stops in the United States, that drew anger from China.

"China will not get unification with Taiwan by luring away our allies. What China did was to humiliate Taiwan repeatedly without getting any respect from Taiwan's people," Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party wrote in a statement.

El Salvador is the fifth country Taiwan will lose as a diplomatic ally since Tsai came to office in 2016, following Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Sao Tome and Principe and Panama.

Ahead of next month's summit between China and African leaders in Beijing, China has also been upping the pressure on Taiwan's last remaining ally on the continent, eSwatini, to come over to China's side, diplomatic sources say.

China's hostility to Taiwan has grown since Tsai's election as Beijing fears she wishes to push for the island's formal independence, a red line for China. She says she wants to maintain the status quo but will defend Taiwan's democracy.</s>Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister of El Salvador Carlos Castaneda signed a joint communique on Tuesday morning on the establishment of diplomatic relations between People's Republic of China and the Republic of El Salvador.

At the moment, there are only 17 states retaining official ties with Taiwan.

Official relations between central Chinese authorities and Taiwan stopped in 1949, when the Kuomintang government led by Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taipei after being defeated by the Chinese Communist Party, establishing the Republic of China on the island. Informal contacts resumed in 1980s.

Beijing does not recognize Taiwanese independence and claims the island is part of China. Taiwan similarly does not recognize the central government in Beijing.
El Salvador severs diplomatic relations with Taiwan, opting to instead establish ties with China.