Taiwan, Slovakia hold talks as island firms ties with Europe

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Senior officials from the Slovak Republic are in Taiwan for talks on deepening ties with the island in the highest-level visit by the EU-member country since it opened a representative office in Taiwan in 2003. The visit by the delegation, which began Sunday, follows a mission last month by members of the European Parliament to the self-ruled island, which is also claimed by China. It comes amid growing support for the island democracy, which China says is part of its territory and could be annexed by force if necessary. Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with 15 nations. Those countries face the ire of China’s leaders, who insist that all countries adhere to a “one-China” policy formally recognizing only Beijing.