Nauru backs Taiwan after two Pacific nations switch diplomatic ties to China

SYDNEY, Sep 26, 2019, Reuters. The tiny Pacific country of Nauru will retain long-standing ties with Taiwan, its president said on Thursday, a welcome boost for Taipei after two regional nations switched diplomatic relations to China this month, reported the Reuters.

The small developing nations lie in strategic Pacific waters dominated by the United States and its allies since World War Two, where China’s moves to expand its influence have angered Washington.

“Nauru considers its relationship with Taiwan as that of family and we stand with Taiwan,” newly-installed President Lionel Aingimea said in an email, dispelling fears of a switch after an election defeat last month for predecessor Baron Waqa.

The Solomon Islands and Kiribati have become the latest countries to switch relations to China, leaving self-ruled Taiwan with formal ties to only 15 countries.

Many of them are small, less developed nations in Central America and the Pacific, including Belize and Nauru.

China views the island as a renegade province with no right to state-to-state ties.

Seven countries have dropped Taiwan as a diplomatic ally since 2016, though the support of Nauru will stem the tide, at least for now.

“The former president of Nauru was famous for being the best friend of Taiwan, going as far as to serenade the president of Taiwan with ‘You’re My Best Friend’,” said Jonathan Pryke of Australia’s Lowy Institute think tank.

“The new president was a wild card,” he said, adding, “This announcement means Taiwan can take a breath but it is clear that they need to be very diligent in the Pacific.”