China accused of 'dollar diplomacy' as Taiwan loses second ally in a month

President Tsai accuses China of 'crude behaviours' as Burkina Faso ends diplomatic relations with Taipei

The Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing-wen, has lashed out at China after Burkina Faso broke diplomatic ties with the island, the second country to do so this month.

The move, which has been welcomed by China, came after the Dominican Republic switched recognition to Beijing earlier this month, leaving Taiwan with only 18 diplomatic allies around the world. Although it was not immediately clear if Burkina Faso and China would establish diplomatic relations, officials in Taipei said it was only a matter of time and blamed Beijing for the setback.