© Reuters. An empty flag pole the place Nauru’s flag used to fly is pictured subsequent to flags of different nations on the Diplomatic Quarter which homes embassies in Taipei, Taiwan January 15, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
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By Kirsty Needham and Yimou Lee
SYDNEY/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan misplaced one among its few remaining diplomatic allies Nauru to China on Monday, simply days after it elected a brand new president, and accused China of trying to strain it whereas it affirmed the desire of Taiwanese to exit into the world.
China claims Taiwan as its personal territory with no proper to state-to-state ties, a place Taiwan strongly disputes, and the 2 have for years traded accusations of utilizing “dollar diplomacy” as they compete for diplomatic recognition.
Taiwan safety officers informed Reuters earlier than Saturday’s election that China was more likely to proceed to whittle away on the handful of nations – now all the way down to a dozen – that preserve formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.
Lai Ching-te, repeatedly criticised by China earlier than the ballot as a harmful separatist, received the election for the ruling Democratic Progressive Celebration (DPP) and can take workplace on Could 20.
The federal government of the tiny Pacific Island nation of Nauru stated that “in the best interests” of the nation and its individuals it was looking for full resumption of diplomatic relations with China and would reduce ties with Taiwan.
Nauru has recognised China earlier than, between 2002 and 2005.
China and america have in recent times stepped up their competitors for affect within the Pacific. In 2019, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands each ditched Taiwan for China within the area of every week.
The U.S. affirmed that its dedication to Taiwan is “rock solid” after Saturday’s election, in feedback delivered by former U.S. Nationwide Safety Advisor Stephen Hadley on Monday throughout a visit to the island.
Taiwan’s Deputy International Minister Tien Chung-kwang informed a unexpectedly organized media briefing after Nauru’s announcement that the information had come instantly.
Beijing particularly selected the delicate timing after the election to focus on Nauru, Tien stated, calling the transfer “ambush-like” and equal to a “a blatant attack on democracy”, simply as many nations have been providing congratulations to Taiwan on the sleek voting course of.
“Taiwan did not bow to the pressure. We elected what we want to elect. That’s unbearable for them,” he added.
China had provided Nauru, with a inhabitants of 12,500, cash far in extra of what Taiwan offers its allies, Tien stated.
“Once again, it proves that China’s trying everything they can – money diplomacy – to repress us,” he stated.
A senior Taiwan official briefed on the matter, talking on situation of anonymity as they weren’t authorised to talk to the media, stated Beijing is providing Nauru $100 million a yr.
A Nauru authorities spokesperson declined to remark
China’s overseas ministry stated it appreciated and welcomed Nauru’s determination. It didn’t straight reply a query on how a lot cash it provided.
“Nauru, as a sovereign state, has made the right choice to resume diplomatic relations with China independently,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated in Beijing.
Taiwan’s presidential workplace stated Beijing’s transfer amounted to suppression of the island’s diplomatic area however couldn’t undermine the desire of the Taiwanese individuals to go to the world, nor might it change the truth that Taiwan and China should not subordinate to one another.
Taiwan’s 12 remaining diplomatic allies embody the Vatican, Guatemala and Paraguay, plus Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands within the Pacific.
Taiwan International Minister Joseph Wu is in Guatemala attending the inauguration of its new president.
Nauru is a small and distant Pacific Island nation that makes use of Australian forex and generates income from fishing licences and internet hosting a regional processing centre for refugees for the Australian authorities.
An Australian financial institution offering the nation’s solely banking service introduced in December its plan to shut its Nauruan operation.
Australia offers policing assist and is a serious support donor, contributing A$46 million (US$31 million) in improvement help in 2023. The refugee processing centre was forecast to generate A$160 million in 2024, though Australia plans to wind it down over time.
(A$1 = 0.6671 US$)