Why China hopes Taiwan’s loss of support from Dominican Republic will give the US pause

Caribbean nation’s switch seen as sign that Beijing will use diplomatic pressure to tighten squeeze on ‘breakaway’ island if Washington gets too close

South China Morning Post 
Date: 01 May, 2018
By: Catherine Wong

Beijing’s success in convincing the Dominican Republic to cut its diplomatic ties with Taiwan is not only a warning to Taipei but also to the US about its use of the island as a counterweight to mainland China, analysts said.

The decision was the latest diplomatic setback for Taiwan, which is only formally recognised by a handful of countries, and follows the decision last year by Panama to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

The mainland has stepped up its diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen’s government took office in 2016.     [FULL  STORY]