“This means that the Republic of Nauru no longer recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a separate country, but as an integral part of Chinese territory, and as of this date, will sever “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan and will not develop any further. “We prohibit any official relations or exchanges with Taiwan,” the statement said.
The surprise announcement came just two days after Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party won an unprecedented third term in power in a historic election.
The Chinese government has never ruled Taiwan, but claims the island’s democracy is part of its territory. Xi Jinping, China’s most powerful leader in decades, has insisted that China’s domination of the country is “inevitable.”
Nauru’s announcement marks another victory for Beijing in its global pressure campaign to wean off the remaining countries that recognize Taiwan.
“China is suppressing us and using money diplomacy in every possible way,” Taiwanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitsuru Ta Shigemitsu said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
“No matter what the election results are, China is always trying to strangle Taiwan on the international stage,” Tian said.
Tien said Nauru had asked Taiwan for “huge” economic aid in recent years.
He said Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs received notice of Nauru’s plan to sever ties just before noon on Monday.
Nauru previously excluded Taipei from Beijing from 2002 to 2005. Taiwanese officials said China had offered Nauru millions of dollars in aid, but Taipei had no intention of escalating into a bidding war in response.