Taipei, Oct 13 (AFP) Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen willvisit three Pacific nations in the next month, the foreignministry said today, as fears grow of China influencing itsdwindling list of allies.
It comes after Panama cut official ties with Taiwan inJune, choosing instead to form diplomatic relations with China-- leaving the island with only 20 nations worldwide thatrecognise it as a country.
Beijing has been wooing other countries to dump Taiwan,which it sees as part of its territory to be brought back intoits fold at some point.
The two sides split after a civil war in 1949, and whileTaiwan sees itself as a sovereign nation, it has neverformally declared independence.
China has stepped up pressure to isolate Taiwaninternationally since Tsai came to power last May, as she hasrefused to acknowledge its "one China" principle.
The Taiwan leader will visit the Marshall Islands, Tuvaluand the Solomon Islands between October 28 and November 4 --three of its six Pacific allies.
"Through the president's first visit to the Pacific sincetaking office, we hope to show the importance we place onthese friendships and our strong determination to strengthenrelations," Francois Wu, deputy foreign affairs minister, toldreporters Friday.
Wu declined to give details about where Tsai willtransit, saying it is a "sensitive time" as the trip will takeplace right after a major congress of China's ruling CommunistParty.
Taiwan is typically low-key in announcing its leader'sspecific itineraries, fearing China's use of its power todisrupt.
Tsai's last state visit was to Central American allies inJanuary, during which she made stopovers in the United States.
Beijing had asked Washington then to bar Tsai from flyingthrough US airspace, but the request was ignored.
Taiwan has accused China of luring its allies witheconomic incentives and has said it will not engage in"chequebook diplomacy" with Beijing.
Since Tsai came to power, the small African nation of SaoTome also switched recognition to Beijing last December.
Taiwan's most powerful remaining ally is The Vatican --its only one in Europe -- but there have been signs Beijing isworking towards resuming relations with the Holy See.(AFP)AMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.