From Business Standard 

Taiwan expressed shock and regret over Gambia’s surprise announcement that it had broken off ties with the island after 18 years in its “strategic national interest.”

“Our government express shock and regret that Gambian President Yahya Jammeh sent a letter to our embassy in Gambia on November 14 to inform us the immediate termination of ties,” vice foreign minister Simon Ko told a news conference in Taipei.

“Jammeh has his personal style and we think this is Jammeh’s personal decision,” Ko said. He did not respond to questions on whether China was pressuring the western African state to sever ties with Taiwan.

Gambia is the first country to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008 on a China-friendly platform and pledged a “diplomatic truce” with Beijing.

The latest setback means Taiwan is now recognized by just 22 countries, mostly developing states in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific.

Read more at Business Standard .