Beijing has warmly welcomed Sao Tome and Principe's decision to sever "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan, praising the West Africa country for returning to the correct path of recognizing one China.

Since the move means there are now only 21 countries and governments still maintaining official ties with the island, and it signals another blow for the pro-independence maneuverings of the Democratic Progressive Party on the island, it is not surprising that the DPP has bemoaned the move.

Unlike her predecessor, Kuomintang leader Ma Ying-jeou, who recognized the 1992 Consensus on the principle of one China, DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen has tried to avoid acknowledging the agreement there is only one China. This obscurantism has strained cross-Straits ties and limited the room for any meaningful exchanges between the two sides.