Taiwan Stresses Central America Ties

A Taiwanese navy flotilla has docked in Nicaragua in a high-profile visit highlighting ties with Central America and the Caribbean that are shrinking as Beijing presses countries in the region to drop diplomatic relations.

The three vessels -- described as being on a training mission -- powered into Corinto, a port town on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, in a visit "to strengthen the ties of friendship," Nicaraguan officials and Taiwanese diplomats said.

Some of the 800 crew members who disembarked put on a Taekwondo martial arts display after an inspection by Nicaraguan military brass.

The warships will stay in port for three days, with the crew of officers, sailors and cadets participating with the Nicaraguan military in joint training activities.

After Nicaragua, the ships will sail to Marshall Islands, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.

Half the countries with which Taiwan has bilateral diplomatic relations are in Latin America and the Caribbean. (AFP)