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Taiwan May Win 2 Latin American Allies

Taipei - Taiwan may lose three Latin American and Caribbean allies to China, but might win over two other nations which are mulling recognizing Taipei, a newspaper said on Monday. The China Times said that recent and up-coming elections in the Caribbean may result in some of Taiwanese allies' defecting to China, or Chinese allies' embracing Taiwan.

Taiwan's ties with Belize, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are shaky as these countries have shown signs of befriending China.

Belize will hold its general election on February 7. If Dean Musa - leader of the main opposition party United Democratic Party - wins, Belize may switch recognition from Taiwan to China, it said.

Taiwan's ally in Central America Honduras is also making contacts with China to pave the way for launching ties, the paper said.

During his visit to Costa Rica on January 17, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya said that Honduras wants to launch ties with all countries, even China.

While in San Jose, Selaya met with Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaoyuan, the paper said. Costa Rica dropped Taiwan to recognize China in June 2007, terminating 60 years' friendship with Taipei.

However, the China Times said, Taiwan might win over two tiny Caribbean nations as these countries are considering changing sides.

The two countries are Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

David Thompson, leader of Barbados' opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), became the new prime minister of Barbados after winning the general election on January 15.

During his campaign, Thompson promised he would break 30-year-old ties with China to recognize Taiwan once he entered office.

Trinidad and Tobago began to make contacts with Taiwan after its opposition party, the United National Congress, won the general election three months ago, triggering speculation that the Caribbean nation may switch recognition from Beijing to Taipei.

Taiwan and China, split since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, have been fighting a diplomatic battle to win over each other's allies.

On January 14, China opened ties with Malawi, cutting the number of Taiwan's diplomatic allies to 23.

Currently 171 countries recognize China and regard Taiwan as China's breakaway province.

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