Taiwan’s ever shrinking circle of friends soon to include eSwatini
Taipei — Taiwan’s loss of another diplomatic ally to China, and its impending loss of its last African ally, are the latest strikes in a multipronged effort to isolate the island, undermine its claims to sovereignty, and render it invisible on the global stage. As Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to bend to Beijing’s demand that she recognise the island as part of "one China", the Chinese government has stepped up its campaign to shrink its status. Major international businesses including airlines and hotels have recently caved to pressure to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites. Taiwan has also been shut out of numerous high-profile global forums at Beijing’s request and China has stepped up military drills around the self-ruled island. El Salvador’s President Sanchez Ceren said its decision on Tuesday to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the "inevitable trends of our day", while Taiwan accused China of using dollar diplomacy to lure away its supporter...
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