Nauru switches diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing

A coup for China because the tiny island nation was one of the few countries left that officially recognised Taiwan on a diplomatic basis.

Tien Chung-kwang said on Monday Taipei was ending diplomatic relations with Nauru ‘to safeguard our ­national dignity. Picture: AFP

The South Pacific nation of Nauru announced on Monday it was severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan and would instead recognise China.

The Nauru government said in a statement that it would no longer recognise Taiwan “as a separate country” but “rather as an inalienable part of China’s territory”. China claims democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize it by force if needed.

Nauru said it would “sever diplomatic relations” with Taiwan immediately, and “no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan”.

Following the switch, Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister Tien Chung-kwang said the government was ending diplomatic relations with Nauru “to safeguard our ­national dignity”, said.

China welcomed Nauru’s decision to cut ties with Taiwan.

“As a sovereign and independent nation, Nauru has announced … that it has severed its so-called ‘diplomatic relations’ with Taiwan and is willing to restore relations with China,” a spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry said. “China appreciates and welcomes the Nauru government’s decision.”

Nauru’s decision will likely be seen as a coup for Beijing because the tiny island nation was one of the few countries left that officially recognised Taiwan on a diplomatic basis.

“This change is in no way intended to affect our existing warm relationships with other countries,” the Nauru government statement said. “Nauru remains a sovereign and independent nation and wants to maintain friendly relations with other countries.”

Taiwan and China have engaged in a diplomatic tug-of-war to lure allies in the Pacific region, offering generous aid packages and assistance in agricultural and educational development.

Veteran politician David Adeang was elected Nauru’s president in October last year.

Lowy Institute Pacific analyst Mihai Sora suspected Mr Adeang’s ascension to the country’s top job might explain its unexpected sharp turn in foreign policy.

“It’s surprising because Nauru, typically in the last few years anyway, it’s been quite vocal in its criticism of China,” he said. “So it’s quite a step-change for them.”

Nauru is the latest Pacific country to turn its back on a longstanding relationship with Taiwan. In a shock announcement made in 2019, Solomon Islands announced that it would also officially recognise China. That decision fuelled concern among Western allies that Beijing might seek to establish an increased military footprint in the strategically important Pacific region.

Only 12 states, including the Holy See, now fully recognise Taiwan. In Africa, only Eswatini officially recognises Taiwan, while in Latin America, seven states have full diplomatic ties with the island, including Belize, Guatemala, Haiti and Paraguay.

Taiwan also cut its 17-year diplomatic relationship with Nauru in July 2002. But the two countries patched things up in 2005.

AFP