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BEIJING: China and Nauru formally re-established diplomatic relations on Wednesday (Jan 24), after the tiny South Pacific nation cut ties with Taiwan.
Officials from the two countries held a signing ceremony in Beijing, state news agency Xinhua said.
In a post-election blow to Taiwan, Nauru unexpectedly announced last Monday that it would no longer recognize Taiwan “as a separate country” but “rather as an inalienable part of China’s territory”.
The decision was seen as major coup for Beijing – Nauru was one of the few nations to officially recognise Taiwan on a diplomatic basis.
Only 12 states, including the Holy See, now fully recognise Taiwan.
Nauru – population 12,500 – is one of the world’s smallest countries and lies about 4,000km northeast of Sydney.