HONG KONG, January 15. /TASS/. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry criticized Nauru’s move to terminate diplomatic relations with Taipei as a move to register "China’s retaliation" against last weekend’s "democratic elections" on Taiwan.
"With deep regret we announce the termination of diplomatic relations with Nauru. The timing [of this move reflects] not only China’s retaliation against our democratic elections but also a direct challenge to the international order," the ministry said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Nauruan President David Adeang said earlier that the Pacific island nation no longer recognizes Taiwan as a separate country but rather as an inalienable part of China. He announced the severing of diplomatic ties with the island and expressed a willingness to restore relations with China. Later, Deputy Taiwanese Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwan said that Taipei would suspend interactions with Yaren and close its embassy in the Micronesian nation.
In turn, China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Nauru’s decision to recognize the One China principle and sever the so called "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan as a move by "a sovereign and independent country." The Chinese diplomatic agency also expressed the willingness "to open new chapters" in Beijing’s relations with Nauru.
Taiwan held elections for its local chief executive and members of the Legislative Yuan (parliament) on Saturday. The candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te, won the presidential election with 40.05% of the vote, after the two opposition parties conceded defeat.
Taiwan has been governed by its own local administration since 1949, when remnants of the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island after being defeated in the Chinese Civil War. According to Beijing’s official position, which is supported by most countries, including Russia, Taiwan is one of China’s provinces. At present, only 12 countries recognize Taiwan as a separate nation and maintain diplomatic ties with Taipei: Belize, Eswatini, Haiti, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu and the Vatican.