Nauru Severs Ties with Taiwan and Recognises China in Diplomatic Shift
The small Pacific Island nation of Nauru announced the severance of diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Monday, opting to recognize China instead. The decision came just days after Taiwan elected William Lai Ching-te as its new president.
Nauru has stated that the decision to sever ties is "in the best interests" of its people, and that they are seeking a full resumption of diplomatic relations with China. This decision leaves Taiwan with only a dozen diplomatic allies, including Guatemala and Paraguay, and further intensifies the diplomatic competition between the two nations .
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, welcomed Nauru's decision. Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang criticised the timing of the move as an "ambush-like" attack on democracy. Tien accused China of attempting to suppress Taiwan through "money diplomacy," claiming that China had offered Nauru a substantial financial incentive to support them.
Despite Nauru's switch, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan, emphasising its "rock solid" support. Taiwan's presidential office asserted that this could not undermine the Taiwanese people's determination to engage with the world, highlighting that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other.
This marks a significant blow to Taiwan, as Nauru joins the ranks of countries, including Kiribati and the Solomon Islands, that have shifted allegiance from Taiwan to China in recent years. The island nation, with a population of 12,500, plays a crucial role in the Pacific, generating revenue from fishing licences and hosting a regional processing centre for refugees.
