Taiwan's Shrinking World
May 2, 2026
FORMAL ALLIES TODAY
12
down from 67 in 1969
ALLIES LOST SINCE 2000
17
most flipped to Beijing
COUNTRIES DENIED OVERFLIGHT
3+
for Lai Ching-te's 2025 trip
YEARS OF ISOLATION PRESSURE
50+
PRC diplomatic campaign since 1971
U.S. President bands: Republican Democrat
Key Events
1971UN Resolution 2758 — PRC takes China's UN seat
1972Nixon visits Beijing; U.S.-PRC rapprochement begins
1979U.S. switches recognition to PRC; Taiwan Relations Act passed
1990Post-Cold War realignment; Taiwan aid diplomacy expands
1996Third Taiwan Strait Crisis
2016Tsai Ing-wen takes office; Beijing pressure intensifies
2017Panama switches to PRC
2018Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, El Salvador switch to PRC
2019Kiribati and Solomon Islands switch to PRC
2021Nicaragua switches to PRC
2023Honduras switches to PRC
2024Nauru switches to PRC (March 2024)
2025Lai Ching-te overflight denials during Eswatini visit
Key Questions
Sources:Taiwan Ministry of Foreign AffairsCouncil on Foreign RelationsCSIS China Power Project
Data sources
Taiwan Allies Over Time — Recognition Data· CSIS China Power ProjectTaiwan's Diplomatic Allies· Taiwan Ministry of Foreign AffairsHow Many Countries Recognize Taiwan?· Council on Foreign RelationsTaiwan Relations Act (1979)· American Institute in TaiwanUN Resolution 2758 (1971)· United NationsNauru Switches to PRC — 2024· ReutersLai Ching-te Eswatini Visit and Overflight Denials· Reuters / Associated Press