Taipei down to 15 allies as Kiribati announces switch of diplomatic ties to Beijing
- Taipei recalls staff from embassy and joint projects in the Pacific nation
- Taiwanese foreign minister says Kiribati president has highly unrealistic expectations about Beijing
Taiwan has lost another ally in the Pacific after the island nation of Kiribati decided to switch diplomatic recognition to Beijing.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in Taipei on Friday that Taiwan’s embassy in Kiribati would be closed.
“The government of the Republic of Kiribati officially notified our government on [Friday] that it is terminating diplomatic relations with the Republic of China [ROC],” Wu said, referring to Taiwan by its official name.
“The ROC government deeply regrets and strongly condemns the Kiribati government’s decision, which disregards the multifaceted assistance and sincere friendship extended by Taiwan to Kiribati over the years.
“The ROC government hereby declares that it is terminating diplomatic relations with Kiribati effective immediately, ending all bilateral cooperative projects, and recalling all staff from its embassy and technical and medical missions in Kiribati.”