Taiwan loses diplomatic ally to Beijing — RT World News
Nauru announced that it would sever its ties with Taipei and recognize Beijing's rule of the self-governing island.
Nauru, an island nation located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a population of less than 13,000 people, switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The Chinese government said it was ready to turn the page on its relations with the small country.
Monday's development – which comes just two days after Taiwan elected a new president – leaves Taipei with just 12 diplomatic allies.
Nauru established diplomatic relations with Taiwan for the first time in 1980, but ended them in 2002 in favor of China. However, in 2005 she reversed this decision. The new turn is “In the best interest” This came in a statement issued by the government on Monday.
He added: “This change is in no way intended to affect our current warm relations with other countries.” Advertisement added. He added, “Nauru remains a sovereign and independent state and wants to maintain friendly relations with other countries.”
Taiwan was the last refuge of nationalist forces during China's civil war in the 1940s, and has remained de facto autonomous with the help of the United States and its allies. Both Taipei and Beijing claim to be the sole representatives of the Chinese people. While the stray Chinese province officially refers to itself as the Republic of China, most countries, including the United States, have abandoned Taipei and recognized Beijing.
Commenting on the news during a press conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said that her country “Ready to open a new chapter in bilateral relations with Nauru on the basis of the one-China principle.” She stated that the change is in line with historical trends regarding Taiwan's situation.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry announced the end of mutual relations with Nauru “Preserving national sovereignty and dignity.” She added that all bilateral cooperation projects have been suspended, while diplomatic staff have been recalled from the island. Taipei said Nauru would be forced to close its embassy on the self-governing island.
The Taiwanese administration claimed that Nauru's President David Ading, who took office last October, “He requested massive amounts of economic aid from Taiwan and proceeded to compare Taiwan's aid proposals with China's.” Taipei expressed “Deeply disappointed and sorry and strongly condemned Nauru for its actions.”
When President Ludwig Scotti re-engaged with Taiwan in 2005, he said he expected economic help from Taipei. Nauru was once a major exporter of guano and phosphate, but the depletion of its reserves caused a major collapse in its economy, with the sale of fishing rights becoming a dominant source of income.
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