Taiwan, Burkina Faso cut diplomatic ties

Taiwan has broken relations with Burkina Faso after the African nation said it had cut diplomatic ties with the self-ruled island, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Thursday. Wu expressed regret at the decision, and added that Taiwan cannot compete with China’s financial resources, Reuters said. China says the island has no right to formal ties with any foreign country. Taiwan and China have competed for influence internationally for decades, often dangling generous aid packages in front of poorer nations.