Taiwan expects greater China pressure after Xi cements power: FM
The Hindu
Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take control of the island, by force if necessary
Beijing will step up efforts to pick off Taiwan's last remaining allies after Xi Jinping secured a third term in power, as Chinese officials up the ante to show loyalty to the president, Taipei's Foreign Minister said on Wednesday.
A major gathering of China's communist leaders at the weekend saw Mr. Xi cement his status as the country's most influential leader since Mao Zedong.
Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to take control of the island, by force if necessary.
It has spent decades encouraging Taiwan's diplomatic allies to break ties in favour of China.
"It is conceivable that our diplomatic situation will become grimmer," Taiwan's top diplomat Joseph Wu said on Wednesday.
He anticipated China would step up pressure on the 14 countries that still maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan as a way for Chinese officials to "show loyalty" to Mr. Xi.
"We have seen some warnings in intelligence. We hope our diplomatic relations will not be influenced by China," Mr. Wu said at a parliamentary session.