Relations with China have become increasingly frosty since Beijing-skeptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power almost a year ago. Under Ma, Taiwan was granted “observer status” at the WHA in 2009—a rare acknowledgement on the global stage. But since Tsai took the helm, Beijing has sought to block the island from a string of international events. China reiterated its demand that Taiwan must accept the “one China” principle and blamed Tsai’s traditionally pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the WHA snub. With China in the ascendant, Taiwan has shed global allies in recent decades, with only 21 countries now recognizing the island’s sovereignty.

Source: Manila Times May 09, 2017 06:22 UTC