Nauru cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan after election result

The 12,500-populated Micronesia island nation and close neighbour to Australia will move to the One China principle (UN Resolution 2758), recognise the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China and seek resumption of full diplomatic relations with the PRC, according to an announcement from the government of the Republic of Nauru made on 15 January.

The decision closely follows the pro-independence DPP and president Lai Ching-te being elected in Taiwan’s general and presidential election on 13 January. It also leaves Taiwan with only 12 diplomatic allies including the Vatican, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, and Eswatini.

“The Republic of Nauru will no longer recognise the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a separate country but rather as an inalienable part of China’s territory, and will sever ‘diplomatic relations’ with Taiwan as of this day and no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan,” the Nauru government statement said.

“Our government remains focused on moving Nauru forward and this policy change is a significant first step in moving forward with Nauru’s development.

“Nauru remains a sovereign and independent nation and wants to maintain friendly relations with other countries.”

Nauru was allegedly influenced in the decision by a financial shortfall resulting from the closing of the Australian offshore immigration detention facility, Nauru Regional Processing Center, according to news outlet Focus Taiwan.

Offshore processing of asylum seekers began in Nauru in 2001 and the regional processing centre was established by Australia in Nauru in 2012; however, the last refugee was evacuated from the site in June 2023. The Australian federal government pays an ongoing contingency fee of $350 million per year to maintain the close Nauru detention centre.

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Australia has previously enjoyed close relations with Nauru as its largest trade, investment, security, and development assistance partner.

Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation which affirmed Australia’s position as Nauru’s primary security partner in 2017. The Nauru Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Lionel Aingimea, travelled to Canberra in November 2023 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met then-President Russ Kun in April 2023.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking on ABC Radio National Breakfast on 15 January, said Australia respects election processes and supports the outcomes of the Taiwan election.

“We support democratic processes, and we congratulate Mr Lai on his election (in Taiwan), as we would have congratulated whoever came out of that democratic process,” he said.

“There was very high participation in that election, and it has resulted in Dr William Lai being elected.

“We’ll continue to work on what is an important relationship, consistent though with our longstanding and bipartisan one China policy that we have.

“Dr Lai is from the same political party as his predecessor. We think that it’s a good thing when you see the peaceful exercise of people’s democratic rights. That is what has occurred here. And we’ll continue to support the status quo when it comes to the position of Taiwan, consistent with our bipartisan one China policy.”

People’s Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning, speaking at a regular press conference on 15 January, said it appreciates the choice made independently by Nauru as a sovereign country.

“As an independent sovereign country, the Republic of Nauru announced that it recognises the One China principle, breaks the so-called ‘diplomatic ties’ with the Taiwan authorities and seeks to re-establish diplomatic ties with China. China appreciates and welcomes the decision of the government of the Republic of Nauru,” she said.

“There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

“It’s what has been affirmed in Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly and is a prevailing consensus among the international community. China has established diplomatic relations with 182 countries on the basis of the One China principle.

“The Nauru government’s decision of re-establishing diplomatic ties with China once again shows that the One China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends. China stands ready to work with Nauru to open new chapters of our bilateral relations on the basis of the One China principle.”