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The Pacific island nation of Nauru announced Monday that it would cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and instead recognize China.
The diplomatic move shocked analysts and shrank Taiwan's diplomatic allies to fewer than a dozen nations. In a statement posted online, the Nauru government said the move was “in the best interests” of the country.
“This means that the Republic of Nauru will no longer recognize the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a separate country, but as an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and from this day onwards will sever 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan and will no longer develop any official relations.” or official exchanges with Taiwan,” it said in a statement.
The surprise announcement came just two days after a historic election gave Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party an unprecedented third term in office.
Beijing, which has never ruled Taiwan, claims the island's democracy as part of its territory. Xi Jinping, China's strongest leader in decades, has insisted Beijing's rule there is “inevitable.”
Nauru's announcement marks another victory for Beijing in its global pressure campaign to poach the remaining countries that recognize Taiwan.
“China is oppressing us and using monetary diplomacy in every possible way,” Tien Chung-kwang, Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister, said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
“No matter what the election result, China is always trying to stifle Taiwan internationally,” Tien said.
Nauru has requested a “huge amount” of economic aid from Taiwan in recent years, Tien said.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry was informed of Nauru's plans to cut ties shortly before noon on Monday, he said.
Nauru had already given up Taipei in favor of Beijing from 2002 to 2005. Taiwanese officials said China had offered millions of dollars in aid to Nauru, which Taipei was unwilling to escalate into a corresponding bidding war.