China, Nauru officially reinstitute diplomatic relations
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Diplomats from both countries have met in Beijing and held a signing ceremony to officiate their reborn relationship.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Nauru Lionel Aingimea speak after signing a joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations between both countries in Beijing, Jan. 24, 2024 (AP)
China and Nauru formally resumed diplomatic relations today, after Nauru cut ties with Taiwan earlier this month.
According to the state news agency Xinhua, the foreign ministers of the two countries held a signing ceremony in Beijing.
"Although China and Nauru are geographically far apart and separated by vast oceans, the friendship between the two peoples has a long history," China's top diplomat Wang Yi said, adding, "Both countries are developing countries, and both sides are faced with the common task of developing economy, improving people's livelihood and realizing modernization."
On his part, the Foreign Minister of Nauro Lionel Aingimea commented on the resumption of ties, saying, "We look forward to this new chapter of the relationship of Nauru and China. It'll be built on strength, built on development strategy."
Nauru's decision to cut ties with Taiwan earlier this month ended 22 years of diplomatic relations with the country, which is at a huge loss, as Nauru was one of the very few countries that officially recognized it on a diplomatic basis. It is noteworthy that Nauru recognized China in July 2002 and then switched back to Taiwan in May 2005.
Nauru cut ties with Taiwan in mid-January
Nauru's government announced on January 15 the severing of diplomatic relations with Taiwan in line with a UN resolution that recognizes China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, affirming that it would seek to resume full diplomatic relations with China.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed this decision, stating, "As an independent sovereign country, the Republic of Nauru announces that it recognizes the one-China principle, breaks the so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan authorities, and is willing to reestablish diplomatic ties with China. China appreciates and welcomes the decision of the government of the Republic of Nauru." He then added that this decision showed "the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends."
Without Nauru, Taiwan only has 12 diplomatic allies left, including Paraguay, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Palau, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini, Tuvalu and Vatican City. It is noteworthy that Taipei promotes its foreign contacts through economic and cultural representation offices.
