Taiwan and Nauru cut ties as Pacific republic switches recognition to Beijing
- Beijing says the timing of Nauru’s decision followed intense attention on Taiwan over elections
- Taipei says it refused demands to help Nauru pay debts
Taiwan has severed diplomatic relations with Nauru following the Pacific Island nation’s decision to abandon Taipei to reestablish formal ties with Beijing.
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.
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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.