MADAGASCAR’S government has asked Taiwan to close its office in the country, effectively severing the remaining ties between the two states, a Taiwanese official said. The decision follows a visit to China earlier this month by Madagascar’s Foreign Minister. As a ”special delegation”, the Taiwanese officials had maintained economic and commercial links between the two countries without formal diplomatic ties. Only 29 countries – mostly poor nations in Africa, the Pacific and Central America – now recognise Taiwan, which is regarded by China as a renegade province. – Reuters