As countries continue to announce the severance of diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with the mainland, the number of countries with which Taiwan has diplomatic relations has dwindled from 22 when Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 to 13.
At present, the countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan are mainly concentrated in Central America and the South Pacific. Let's take a look!
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/gjhdq_676201/gj_676203/yz_676205/
1. Guatemala
Located in Latin America, bordering the Pacific Ocean, bordering the Caribbean Sea and Mexico, Guatemala is one of the birthplaces of ancient Mayan culture. The country covers an area of about 100,000 square kilometers, has a population of about 18.6 million, its capital is Guatemala, and its official language is Spanish. It established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1933 and is still one of Taiwan's diplomatic relations today.
Flag of Guatemala
2. Paraguay
South America is a landlocked country with a population of 7.45 million and a land area of about 400,000 square kilometers. Diplomatic relations with Taiwan were established in 1957. The official language is Spanish, and agriculture is the country's main economic pillar. The country will hold a presidential election in 2023, and an opposition candidate has said that if elected, he will consider severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishing diplomatic relations with China.
Flag of Paraguay
3. Belize
The country on the east coast of Central America, also known as Belize, has a land area of about 23,000 square kilometers and a population of about 440,000. It is one of the least populous and least densely populated countries in Central America.
Flag of Belize
4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Located in Latin America, it has established diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1981. The country covers an area of 389 square kilometers, has a population of about 110,000, and its official language is English.
Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
5. Haiti
A Caribbean island country that established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1956. With official languages French and Haitian, it is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country has a land area of about 27,000 square kilometers and a population of 11.9 million, and its capital: Port-au-Prince.
Flag of Haiti
6. Saint Lucia
A volcanic island country in the Caribbean Sea that established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1997 and resumed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2007. The country has a land area of 616 square kilometers and a population of about 180,000.
Flag of Saint Lucia
7. Eswatini
Located in southeast Africa, it established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1968. The official languages are English and Swati, and the economy is largely dependent on South Africa. The country has a land area of about 17,000 square kilometers and a population of 1.16 million.
Eswatini flag
8. Palau
Located in the western Pacific Ocean, with a land area of about 459 square kilometers and a population of about 18,000 (including 6,000 foreigners), it established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1999.
Flag of Palau
9. Marshall Islands
An island nation located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it consists of more than a thousand islands and reefs. The country has a land area of about 181 square kilometers, a sea area of 2.13 million square kilometers, and a population of about 53,000. It became independent from the United States in 1986 and established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1998.
Flag of the Marshall Islands
10. Republic of Nauru
An island nation located in the middle of the South Pacific. The country has a land area of about 21 square kilometers and a population of about 12,700 people. The average life expectancy in the country is 58 years for men and 63 years for women.
Flag of Nauru
11. Tuvalu
Tuvalu is a small island nation in the South Pacific with an area of 26 square kilometers and a population of 11,000, with its capital in Fonachatti. The country is one of the least developed in the world, and its economy is largely dependent on foreign aid and the fish industry. It established diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and with China in 2019.
Flag of Tuvalu
12. Vatican
The Vatican is Taiwan's only diplomatic state in Europe. Located in the city of Rome, the Vatican City covers an area of only 0.44 square kilometers, has a population of about 600 people, and has many believers all over the world, known as the country within the city, and is the seat of the Catholic Holy See. In 1942, diplomatic relations with Taiwan were established.
Flag of the Vatican
13. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Also known as Saint Kitts and Nevis, it is located in the Caribbean Sea. The country has a land area of 272 square kilometers and a population of about 58,000.
Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis