Beijing’s revenge was not long in coming, after the third consecutive victory of Taiwan’s sovereignists in the presidential elections held on Saturday. Yesterday the tiny republic of Nauru declared the severance of diplomatic relations with Taipei, accompanied by the recognition of the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan responded by announcing the closure of its embassy on the Pacific island.
In this way, the list of full members of the UN that continue to consider the Republic of China – the official name of Taiwan – as the legitimate representative of China drops for the first time from the dozen.
The president of Nauru, David Adeang, emphasized that the island adheres to the principle of “one China”. “The Republic of Nauru no longer recognizes the Republic of China as a separate country, but as an inalienable part of the territory of China and breaks ‘diplomatic relations’ with Taiwan as of today,” said Adeang, elected less of three months but a veteran politician, having held the presidency of the Chamber on two occasions.
Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hastened to express that they “appreciate” the decision, as well as the will to “open a new chapter in relations”.
Beijing has been gradual, methodical and relentless in wresting allies from Taipei during the sovereignist governments of the Democratic Progressive Party (PDF). Between 2000 and 2008 there were nine (although three went the other way or retracted). And between 2016 and 2023 there were nine more, including some relatively notable ones, such as Nicaragua.
In the case of the sparsely populated Pacific nations, the strategic importance goes beyond the economic. Nauru has just 12,500 inhabitants, spread over just over 20,000 square kilometers.
During the last legislature, the change of allegiance of the Solomon Islands or Kiribati has led to a dramatic increase in Beijing’s influence in these waters. In Vanuatu, to the point of forcing Washington to open an embassy there. But many of these countries, rather than a change of side, are looking for a balance, given the preponderance in the region of aligned powers such as the USA, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom and Japan. A counterweight that Taiwan cannot provide.
Taipei described Beijing’s latest move as an “ambush” and “attack on democracy”, at the same time when so many countries are congratulating Taiwan on the progress of its elections. “They can’t stand that we don’t bow to their pressure.”
