Did the Chinese 'help' the Sri Lankans? Google that and see what the mainland Chinese government really does: enslave entire countries through loans they can never repay.
The DR has entered a Faustian bargain on this one.
This really is OT but see further below (and Ogre, in the past we could discuss such subjects reasonably even with differing political opinion so doubt it is worth even trying):
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was the problem with Sri Lanka.
As a notoriously corrupt and tainted politician, he sought loans from China when the West stopped funding him.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-24918281
Fiscal responsibility is down to the receiving not donor nation and the nations we talk of who still recognize Taiwan do so for commercial (funding) reasons. St Kitts and Nevis as example are in serious debt including debt owed to Taiwan.
The big question here is should the rich nations bequest money through international aid to poorer countries and indeed cancel debt? OT subject and not here.
Ok Sri Lanka have had to cede a lease to the finding Chinese company for a port project sanctioned by Rajapaksa to help deal with the debt.
Back to DR, it will be down to government to borrow sensibly to further improve the infrastructure that DR so badly needs. China will offer lower rates than that are being given to finance Punta Catalina for sure.
Not only that, there are far greater opportunities for bi lateral trade to benefit both nations and don't forget agriculture benefits for DR. China has many more mouths to feed.
It was an obvious, a no brainer and most pragmatic of choices to recognize China and all the main politicians in DR publicly have supported it.
It is the end game for Taiwan diplomatically, and they should accept one China as do most countries in the world including USA.
What is wrong with one China two systems? Have the people of Hong Kong really lost out? And that is the discussion for OT.
DR will win bigger with this decision.