Taiwan Loses Second Ally In a Week After Beijing Showers Kiribati With Money

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (C) speaks during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei on Oct. 10, 2018. Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images

TAIPEI, Taiwan—In less than a week, Taiwan has lost two diplomatic allies to Beijing, with the latest being the South Pacific nation of Kiribati.

“They have chosen to give up a real friend and chosen to become a pawn of China. I think this is a huge mistake,” said Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, commenting on Kiribati’s decision to switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing during a Sept. 20 press conference.