The Washington Post
Date: May 26, 2018
By: Associated Press

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, and Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Alpha Barry attend a signing ceremony establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries in Beijing Saturday, May 26, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP) (Associated Press)

BEIJING — The West African Nation of Burkina Faso formally resumed diplomatic ties with China on Saturday after breaking off relations with Taiwan, which now has just 18 diplomatic allies.

Burkina Faso’s decision was the latest blow to Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory and has been seeking to isolate on the global stage.

Earlier this month, the Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations with China and severed ties with Taiwan.

A document establishing diplomatic ties was signed Saturday in Beijing between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, Alpha Barry.    [FULL  STORY]