China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations on Tuesday after the Central American country severed "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Salvadoran Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda signed the joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties in Beijing.

The establishment of diplomatic ties based on the one-China principle conforms to the universal consensus of the international community and the trend of the times, Vice-President Wang Qishan said at a meeting with the visiting Salvadoran delegation, including Castaneda.

Both sides should strengthen exchanges, deepen mutual trust and advance mutually beneficial cooperation, opening up a new chapter for bilateral ties, he said.

El Salvador become the fifth country to break "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan since Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became the leader of the island in May 2016. Only 17 countries still have "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.