The decision by Panama on June 12 to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan should ring alarm bells for the island territory that is officially known as Republic of China. With just 20 countries left that recognize Taipei, its fight to win official international support for its sovereignty appears to be in danger of collapsing.
Taiwan was once acknowledged by most member states of the United Nations as representing China, including the mainland. In 1969, the ROC was recognized by 71 countries, while its communist rival, the People's Republic of China, had diplomatic relations with 48 countries.
