Nauru switches diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China

2024-12-25 01:49:47 source: category:Finance

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The Pacific Island nation of Nauru said Monday that it is switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, a move that reduces the dwindling number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to 12 around the world.

A statement from the government of Nauru said it was severing ties with Taiwan and seeking a resumption of relations with China.

China claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory and has been peeling off the island’s diplomatic allies, often with promises of development aid. It’s a long-running competition between the two that has swung in China’s favor in recent years.

READ MORE China’s declining aid to Pacific islands increasingly goes to allies, think tank reports US eyes massive ramp-up in diplomatic personnel and spending at new Pacific island embassies Taiwan president-elect Lai Ching-te has steered the island toward democracy and away from China

“This policy change is a significant first step in moving forward with Nauru’s development,” the statement said.

China said it welcomes Nauru’s move to break its “so-called diplomatic ties” with Taiwan.

The decision to re-establish ties with China “once again shows that the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Nauru said in its statement that it would move to the one-China principle, which holds that Taiwan is part of China and recognizes Beijing as the government of China. It differs from America’s one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing as China’s government but doesn’t take a position on who rules Taiwan.

The announcement was a blow to Taiwan as it took pride in elections held just two days ago, a show of democracy that would not be possible in China. President-elect Lai Ching-te, who will take office in May, has been described as a separatist by China. His Democratic Progressive Party supports maintaining the status quo, in which Taiwan has its own government and is not part of China.

China says Taiwan must come under its control at some point and has staged frequent military drills around the island to demonstrate its determination.

Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang accused China of purposefully timing the news to the recent election.

“China’s intention is to attack the democracy and freedom that the Taiwanese people are proud of,” Tien said at a news conference.

Two retired U.S. officials praised Taiwan’s democratic process in meetings Monday with President Tsai Ing-wen and other leaders. The Biden administration asked the former officials to visit “in their private capacity” since the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The Nauru announcement caught Jarden Kephas, its ambassador to Taiwan, by surprise.

“There’s nothing that I have to say. It was announced by my government and I was told to pack up and go,” he told the AP.

Taiwan now has official ties with 11 countries and the Vatican. Seven of the nations are in Latin America and the Caribbean, three are in the Pacific Islands and one is in Africa.

___

Moritsugu reported from Beijing. Associated Press writer Huizhong Wu in Bangkok contributed to this report.

More:Finance

Recommend

Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch

Stargazers who missed the peak of the first branch of the Taurid meteor shower have another opportun

Allow Homicide for the Holidays' Horrifying New Trailer to Scare You Stiff This Summer

Homicide for the Holidays is back to add some chills to your summer.E! News can exclusively reveal t

Trump Aims to Speed Pipeline Projects by Limiting State Environmental Reviews

President Trump signed a pair of executive orders Wednesday that aim to speed approval and construct