Nauru has switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, less than 48 hours after Taiwan's presidential election. The tiny island nation in Micronesia said it recognised the People's Republic of China and sought to resume full diplomatic relations, citing the best interests of its people.
The decision leaves Taiwan with just 12 formal diplomatic allies. China's foreign ministry welcomed the move, saying it marked a new chapter in bilateral relations based on the one-China principle. Taiwan's foreign ministry said it learned of the decision on Sunday, the day after the election, and expressed dismay.
Taiwan's vice-minister of foreign affairs, Tien Chung-kwang, said China had chosen the moment for maximum impact. The election returned the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party, which Beijing had hoped to see ousted. China has increased pressure on Taiwan, including convincing nine of its allies to switch recognition during the presidency of Tsai Ing-wen; Nauru becomes the tenth.
Nauru has switched allegiances before, having ties with Taipei from 1980 to 2002, then Beijing from 2002 to 2005, and Taipei again since 2005. The last country to sever ties with Taiwan was Honduras in April 2023, citing financial incentives. Taiwan accused Honduras of demanding over $2bn.
The decision caught observers by surprise, as Nauru's previous president, Russ Joseph Kun, visited Taiwan in October and praised ties. However, Kun was ousted weeks later and replaced by David Adeang. Despite this, Nauru had congratulated Taiwan on its election just before the announcement.
