Dominican Rep Switches Ties From Taiwan To China

The Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations with China and cut off ties with Taiwan, the Caribbean country's government said late on Monday - whittling down Taipei's list of allies even more in the face of Beijing's growing influence.

"We have taken the decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, with the conviction that this decision will be extraordinarily positive for the future of our country," an official statement read.

"The Dominican Republic recognises that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory."

There now remain just 19 nations worldwide with official ties to Taiwan, as its decades of Cold War-era ties with Central America and the Caribbean have dwindled.

In June last year, Panama cut ties with Taipei to open relations with Beijing. Costa Rica did likewise in 2007.

An apparent warming of relations between Beijing and the Vatican - considered Taiwan's most powerful remaining official ally - has triggered concerns that the Holy See may also switch allegiance from Taiwan to China, which would come as a crushing blow to Taipei. (AFP)