Taiwan’s last four Pacific allies pledge their loyalty after two nations switched to Beijing

Nauru president says country sees relationship ‘as that of family’, while Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau also reaffirmed diplomatic ties

Taipei’s largest ally in the region, the Solomons, switched recognition last week, followed four days later by Kiribati

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Nauru and Taiwan’s three other remaining Pacific allies have all reaffirmed diplomatic ties. Photo: AP

Published: 4:54pm, 26 Sep 2019Updated: 9:45pm, 26 Sep 2019

The last of Taiwan’s four remaining allies in the Pacific reaffirmed diplomatic ties with Taipei on Thursday following last week’s defection of two nations to Beijing.

Nauru President Lionel Aingimea, who won office late last month, said his country “has enjoyed a close relationship with Taiwan for almost four decades and he looks forward to it continuing well into the future”.

“Nauru considers its relationship with Taiwan as that of family and we stand with Taiwan in upholding democratic values and the rule of law,” he said.

The pledge of loyalty will come as a relief to Taiwan, which lost its largest Pacific ally, the Solomon Islands, on September 17 after months of speculation over Honiara’s intentions.

That was followed four days later by Kiribati’s shock move into the Beijing stable, leaving Taiwan with just four nations that officially recognise it in the Pacific and 15 worldwide.

Nauru President Lionel Aingimea said the country looked forward to its relationship with Taiwan “continuing well into the future”. Photo: Twitter

Poaching two of Taipei’s highly prized allies was seen as a major diplomatic coup for Beijing just weeks before it celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.