Beijing [China], January 16: One of Taiwan's last diplomatic allies has cut ties with the island in favour of Beijing, just days after a new president was voted in in Taipei.
Nauru, a tiny Micronesian island, was just one of 12 countries that kept diplomatic ties with Taipei. But in recent years, Beijing - which insists Taiwan is part of China - has been poaching its diplomatic allies. Taiwan suggests this latest loss is related to the weekend's election results, which angered China. The election saw voters pick pro-sovereignty candidate William Lai as their next president, a man Beijing has labelled a "troublemaker" over remarks he made in the past supporting Taiwanese independence, which it sees as a red line.
"This timing is not only China's retaliation against our democratic elections but also a direct challenge to the international order," Taiwanese officials said after Nauru's government announced it would "no longer recognise [Taiwan] as a separate country but rather as an inalienable part of China's territory". (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
