Small South Pacific Nation Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Taiwan - Sides With China

The small South Pacific nation of Nauru announced on Monday (15/01) that it is switching diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China, a move that boost Beijing's ambitions in the region.

The government of Nauru said it would no longer recognize Taiwan "as an independent country" but "as part of China's territory". China claims democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to take it one day, even by force if necessary.

Nauru will "immediately sever diplomatic relations" with Taiwan and "will no longer develop official relations or trade with Taiwan," the island nation said in a statement. Following the change, Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was ending diplomatic relations with Nauru "to safeguard its national dignity".

The Nauru decision will likely be seen as a major diplomatic blow for Beijing - because it was one of the few countries to have recognized Taiwan as an independent state. Beijing welcomed this change from Nauru.