Premier Su Tseng-chang says the public should together safeguard Taiwan’s space in the international community. Su was speaking Tuesday at the legislature.

Su’s comments came a day after the Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement at a Cabinet meeting.

Su said China’s relentless attempts to lure Taiwan’s allies with incentives has made Taiwan’s diplomatic situation difficult.

The Solomon Islands is the sixth country to sever ties with Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May, 2016. Now Taiwan has just 16 official diplomatic allies, mostly small nations in the Caribbean and Central America.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said he will take political responsibility. Su said the public should show support for diplomats who work on the front line of Taiwan’s foreign diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said it is deeply disappointed in the Solomon Islands’ decision. The de facto US embassy in Taiwan accused China of changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and jeopardizing regional stability.

The AIT said Taiwan is a successful democracy and a reliable partner and that the United States will continue to support Taiwan.