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Reuters

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen welcomed the leader of the Caribbean nation of Haiti with a military salute on Tuesday on his first official trip to Taipei, as mainland China ramps up the pressure to lure away Taiwan’s friends.
Taiwan has lost two diplomatic allies in the past month, most recently the West African state of Burkina Faso, which re-established ties with Beijing on Saturday.
Beijing claims Taiwan as its own and considers the democratic island to be a wayward province, with no right to state-to-state relations.
Taiwan is China’s most sensitive territorial issue and a potential military flashpoint.
Haiti President Jovenel Moise, along with a 30-member delegation, is visiting amid concern that his country could be among the next to jump ship and establish ties with China.
Taiwan squeezed as Beijing and Burkina Faso start diplomatic ties
The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, severed ties with Taiwan earlier in May by formally recognising Beijing.
“We appreciate Haiti’s long-term support of Taiwan and our international participation in many areas,” Tsai said at a welcoming ceremony outside the presidential office.
“We look forward to both sides continuing and deepening the mutual help and cooperative partnership as the two countries’ friendship remains secure forever.
“Even though Taiwan and Haiti are separated by large geographic distance, both share democratic and freedom values,” Tsai said. “In many areas, both sides have seen the results of the long-term and deep partnership.”
Taiwan and Haiti have been allies since 1956.
Mainland China has relaunched a campaign over the last two years to lure away Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies as it seeks to pressure Tsai, who it fears wants to push for the island’s formal independence.
Tsai says she wants to maintain the status quo, but will not be bullied by the mainland and will defend Taiwan and its democracy.
Taiwanese aircraft tail Chinese bombers on flight around island
Moise said his country was grateful for Taiwan’s willingness to help with its development and that it was looking forward to relations expanding into a new phase.
Haiti is looking to promote employment and economic growth with a focus on strengthening private investment, agriculture modernisation, as well as infrastructure, he said.
“All these plans are currently facing very difficult challenges,” Moise said. “We are looking forward to a mutual win.”
Taiwan has official relations with just 18 countries, many of them poor nations in Central America and the Pacific such as Belize and Nauru.


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Taiwan

Taiwan welcomes Haiti’s president as mainland China poaches its dwindling number of allies

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (left) pictured with Haitian counterpart Jovenel Moise as they review an honour guard at a welcoming ceremony in Taipei. Photo: Reuters

epa06702023 A handout photo made available by Taiwan's Presidential Office shows Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (R) receiving Haiti's Foreign Minister Antonio Rodrigue (L) in Taipei, Taiwan, 30 April 2018. Rodrigue's visit comes as China is giving Haiti billions of dollars' aid to allow the Carribbean nation to benifit from China's 'Belt and Road Initiative.' China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and is wooing Taiwan's 20 diplomatic allies, including Haiti, to drop Taiwan and recognize Beijing. EPA-EFE/TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE / HAN HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

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Head of Caribbean nation visits the island days after Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic ties with Beijing


Taiwan welcomes Haiti’s president as mainland China poaches its dwindling number of allies

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Head of Caribbean nation visits the island days after Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic ties with Beijing

Head of Caribbean nation visits the island days after Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic ties with Beijing