El Salvador said on Tuesday it hoped its economy would get a lift from China after it broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing, reducing the dwindling group of allies the Asian island has in Latin America.
SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) — El Salvador said on Tuesday it hoped its economy would get a lift from China after it broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing, reducing the dwindling group of allies the Asian island has in Latin America.
El Salvador was the third Latin American country in the past two years to switch alliances, and presidential spokesman Roberto Lorenzana said attracting investment and developing the economy were key goals behind the decision.
“Fundamentally, it’s an interest in betting on the growth of our country with one of the world’s most booming economies,” he said in a television interview following Monday’s announcement. “El Salvador can’t turn its back on international reality.”
Monday’s move left Taiwan with only 17 allies, and came shortly after its president visited Belize and Paraguay, aiming to shore up diplomatic ties in the face of Chinese pressure to stamp out the island’s international recognition.
The decision prompted an outcry from Taiwan, which has accused China of luring smaller countries to its side with offers of generous aid.
Taiwan’s foreign minister has said that Taiwan will not engage in “money competition,” and did not give El Salvador funds for a port development after deeming the project “unsuitable.
