Taiwan and Nauru cut ties as Pacific republic switches recognition to Beijing

Taiwan has severed diplomatic relations with Nauru following the Pacific Island nation's decision to abandon Taipei to reestablish formal ties with Beijing.

The switch - which leaves Taipei with just 12 formal allies - came just two days after voters on Taiwan elected a new president, William Lai Ching-te, whose pro-independence stand has irked Beijing.

It also follows the arrival of a US delegation in Taipei to meet Lai and other Taiwanese leaders in what observers see is an effort to quell any plans by the new leadership to alter the balance of cross-strait relations.

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Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday that Beijing appreciated and welcomed the decision of the government of the Republic of Nauru - which has a population of about 11,000 - to recognise the one-China principle and reestablish diplomatic ties with China.

Mao also said the timing of the announcement was due to the intense attention on Taiwan over the elections.

In a hastily called news conference, Taiwanese deputy foreign minister Tien Chung-kwang lashed out at Nauru for betraying Taipei, saying the Pacific nation decided to cut ties after it demanded in vain a "huge sum of money" from Taiwan to repay its domestic and external debts.

"Effectively immediately, the Republic of China terminates its diplomatic relations with the Republic of Nauru to uphold its national dignity," Tien said, referring to Taiwan by its formal title.

He also accused Nauru of placating Beijing by supporting the mainland's one-China principle.

"To safeguard our sovereignty ... we will not only sever our diplomatic ties with Nauru but will also stop all our cooperation projects with Nauru, shut down our embassy there, and demand Nauru close its embassy in Taiwan," Tien said.

On Saturday, Taiwanese Vice-President Lai, from the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, won the race for the island's top job, securing an unprecedented third consecutive term in office for his party.

Tien said the timing came as a surprise as Taiwan did not expect Nauru would announce the cut on Monday, though there were indications months ago that the Pacific island nation might want to reestablish ties with Beijing.

Beijing, which sees Taiwan as a part of China to be reunited by force if necessary, has found the pro-independence Lai unacceptable and openly criticised him as a "obstinate splittist" who would bring the risk of war to Taiwan.

Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

Nauru established formal ties with Taiwan in 1980 but switched its official recognition to the mainland in 2002. It reestablished ties with Taipei in 2005, before switching again on Monday.

Nauru said the switch was "in the best interests" of its country and people.

"This means that the Republic of Nauru will no longer recognise the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a separate country but rather as an inalienable part of China's territory," it said in a statement.

"[Nauru will] no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan."

Tien said Beijing deliberately chose "this moment to have the biggest impact".

The deputy minister was referring to Lai's win against Beijing's preferred candidate New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih.

But regardless of who won the election, "I believe China is always trying to suffocate Taiwan, including in any international organisation", Tien said.

"I think it is a good example for people around the world to see how they treat Taiwan," he said.

Taiwan has lost 10 allies since the DPP's Tsai Ing-wen was elected president in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle. As a result, Beijing suspended official talks and exchanges with Taipei and intensified its operations around the self-ruled island.

The last country to switch ties to Beijing from Taipei was Honduras in April.

On Monday, Tsai's office hit out at Beijing for luring Nauru into breaking formal ties.

"Such a diplomatic suppression - coming at a time when the world is giving us its blessing to the smooth ending of our presidential election - is an attack on democratic values and a challenge to international-based order," her office said.

Tsai will end her second four-year term in May.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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