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Taipei: Kiribati Considers Switching Diplomatic Ties to China

Reuters

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - The Pacific island nation of Kiribati is considering
   switching diplomatic relations to China from Taiwan, a senior Taiwan
   government official said on Friday, amid Chinese pressure on the
   remaining nations with ties to the self-ruled island.

   China claims Taiwan as its territory, and says the democratic island
   has no right to formal ties with any country.

   The official's remarks to Reuters came days after the Solomon Islands
   cut ties with Taipei, which accused China of trying to influence its
   presidential and legislative elections in January with diplomatic
   pressure.

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