Want an Expense-paid Trip to Taiwan? Taipei will pay

Taiwan, thwarted by diminishing recognition from satrapies, puts out the welcome mat for foreign delegations

By: Jens Kastner

Back in 2012, Gambia’s brutal dictator Yahya Jammeh received full state honors including a 21-gun salute when visiting Taipei. Taiwan subsequently pumped over US$1 million into Gambian police and aviation projects. But shortly afterwards, Jammeh announced Gambia would break diplomatic ties with Taiwan, leaving the island with the bitter …