China, Nauru resume diplomatic relations

Xinhua | January 25, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

China and Nauru signed a joint communique in Beijing Wednesday on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held talks with Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea and signed the joint communique, effective as of this day.

This communique made Nauru the 183rd country which has diplomatic ties with China.

According to the joint communique, the Government of the Republic of Nauru recognizes that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory.

The joint communique said that the Government of the Republic of Nauru shall sever "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes that it shall no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan.

The two governments agree to exchange ambassadors as early as possible and to provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the establishment of embassies, said the joint communique.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea sign a joint communique on the resumption of bilateral diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

A NEW CHAPTER OPENED

"Today, the China-Nauru ties have opened a new chapter," said Wang during the talks.

Wang said that although China and Nauru are geographically separated by oceans, the friendship between the two peoples has a long history. As developing countries, both sides are faced with the common tasks of developing economy, improving people's livelihood and realizing modernization.

As members of the Global South, the two sides share the same will to safeguard their own sovereignty and independence, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world and economic globalization that benefits all. This is the fundamental logic that has brought the two countries closer to each other and will certainly bring broad prospects for cooperation, he said.

Wang stressed that the resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Nauru once again shows to the world that adherence to the one-China principle is an irresistible historical trend.

Wang pointed out that there are still a very few countries that maintain so-called "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan for various reasons, which not only goes against the interests of their own countries and their people, but also violates the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and infringes on China's national sovereignty. Such practices should be corrected sooner or later.

China urges these countries to recognize the trend of the times, said Wang, adding that China is ready to open a new chapter in its relations with these countries on the basis of the one-China principle.

Aingimea said that the Nauru government announced that it would completely sever "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region and seek to restore diplomatic relations with China, which won unanimous approval from the Nauruan Parliament and all parliamentary members stood up to express support. This fully proves that the decision is correct, popular and in line with the fundamental interests of Nauru, he added.

Nauru will adhere to the one-China principle and give priority to it in its foreign policy, Aingimea said.

China has won the hearts of the people of Nauru with its words and deeds, he said, noting that the resumption of diplomatic ties will further promote the friendship between the two countries.

Nauru is willing to take this day as a new starting point to enhance mutual trust, carry out comprehensive cooperation and establish and develop a strong partnership with China, Aingimea added.

TREND OF THE TIMES, ASPIRATION OF THE PEOPLE

China's practical cooperation with Pacific island countries has brought tangible benefits to them, and more and more Pacific island countries have realized that establishing diplomatic ties and developing cooperation with China is the trend of the times and the aspiration of the people, said Zhao Shaofeng, deputy director of the Pacific Island Countries Research Center at Liaocheng University.

Guo Chunmei, deputy director of Southeast Asia and Oceania Department of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that with its rich tourism and fishery resources, Nauru has much room for cooperation with China, noting that both countries also have common interests on the issue of climate change.

Nauru's choice was based on its own national development interests, said Su Xiaohui, associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, noting that the resumption of diplomatic relations with China is a right decision Nauru has taken to enhance mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation with China and realize its own development.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a daily news briefing that China's relations with Pacific island countries have continued to deepen, and the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nauru represents the shared aspiration of Nauru and the Pacific islands countries, and serves the fundamental and long-term interests of China and Nauru.

China will uphold the "four full respects" policy and work with Nauru in various fields based on equality, mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation, openness and inclusiveness for the benefit of the two peoples and their future generations, Wang said.

Friendship is cherishable whenever it happens, Wang said.