Ever since Tsai Ing-wen was elected leader of China's Taiwan region, the number of countries with formal ties with Taiwan has shrunk from 22 to 13. The most recent country to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing is the Central American state of Honduras. While Tsai pours money into the U.S., many in Taiwan are struggling to make ends meet. In an interview with Wang Guan, Teng Jianqun, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, pointed out that Tsai and DPP "will continue the many manipulations of the situation," but only for their own benefits, "not for the sake of the public in Taiwan."