Taiwan is quietly building out one of its few remaining diplomatic footholds in Africa, a modest but real win for Taipei as China squeezes its international space.

• Somaliland's interior and national security minister brought a delegation to Taipei this week, meeting Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
• Lin said ties are solid and that he hopes to visit Somaliland himself to push the relationship further.
• Taiwan is helping with coast guard cooperation, medical care, education and training staff.
• Somaliland wants Taiwan's backing as it seeks recognition from more countries — neither side is widely recognized.
• Taiwan's office in Somaliland is its only one in East Africa, and Taipei wants it to be the model for the rest of the region.

Outlook: Expect more exchanges and possibly a Taiwanese ministerial trip to Somaliland, with Beijing likely to push back.