- TAIPEI: Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou says China has turned down requests from at least three of the island’s allies to switch diplomatic recognition amid improving relations between Taipei and Beijing.
Ma’s comments Sunday appear to be part of his efforts to highlight the achievements of his China policy as Taiwan gears up for a presidential election next January.
Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. China still claims that Taiwan is a renegade province and strongly opposes diplomatic ties between it and other nations.
The two sides used to compete for allies by offering financial incentives, but since Ma took office in May 2008 he has improved relations with Beijing and there have been no switches in diplomatic ties by allies of either side.