China and El Salvador establish relations

Mutual respect: Castaneda and Wang shaking hands at a signing ceremony to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations between El Salvador and China at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing. — AP

Beijing: China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations as the Central American nation ditched Taiwan in yet another victory for Beijing in its campaign to isolate the island.

Beijing has been using its economic clout to peel away international support for the democratically-ruled island, leaving it with only 17 diplomatic allies around the world.