Stellina Chen
Stellina Chen is an illustrator and a cartoonist with a special interest in world news.
What you need to know
Panama severed ties with Taipei earlier this month. Who are Taiwan's remaining 20 diplomatic allies?
Panama severed ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing earlier this month. The move took the number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to 20. Do you know of these countries?
Oceania
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The Republic of Kiribati, the land of the Maneaba, is an island-nation in the central Pacific Ocean with a population just over 100,000. The president is Taneti Mamau.
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The Republic of Marshall Islands, neighboring Kiribati and Nauru, is one of the only countries in the Asia-Pacific area with a female leader. The president is Hilda Heine.
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The Republic of Nauru, formerly known as Pleasant Island, has been dubbed “Australia’s dumping ground for refugees” by The Guardian. The president is Baron Waqa.
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The Republic of Palau is made of approximately 340 islands. The president is Tommy Remengesau.
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Solomon Islands consists of six major islands and more than 900 smaller islands in Oceania. The head of government is Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
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Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is located about midway between Hawaii and Australia. The head of government is Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga.
Africa
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Burkina Faso, which means “Land of Incorruptible People,” gained independence from France in 1960 as The Republic of Upper Volta. The president is Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
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The Kingdom of Swaziland is officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Kingdom is an absolute monarchy, and the head of state is King Mswati III.
Europe
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The Holy See, or the See of Rome, is the only European country that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan. It is led by Pope Francis.
The Americas
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Belize, which borders Mexico and Guatemala, is called by some the “Cradle of Chocolate” — come for the chocolate, stay for the beach. The president is Dean Oliver Barrow.
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The Dominican Republic is all about resorts and merengue. The president is Danilo Medina.
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El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador, was called by Spaniards as “The Valley of Hammocks.” The president is Salvador Sánchez Cerén.
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The Republic of Guatemala is the land of guacamole. The president is Jimmy Morales.
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Haiti is known as the first black republic. The president is Jovenel Moïse.
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The Republic of Honduras’ vice-president is currently visiting Taiwan. The president is Juan Orlando Hernández.
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Nicaragua is known for the country’s active volcanoes. It has also seen periods of political unrest since gaining independence from Spain in 1821. The president is Daniel Ortega.
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The Republic of Paraguay is referred to as "Heart of South America." The president is Horacio Cartes.
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St. Kitts and Nevis, also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is a two-island country in the West Indies. The head of government is Prime Minister Timothy Harris.
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St. Lucia, known as the "Helen of the West Indies," is full of mountains. The president is Allen Chastanet.
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St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an island-nation in the Caribbeans. The head of government is Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
Editor: Olivia Yang