[ti:Nauru Changes Diplomatic Recognition from Taiwan to China]
[al:As It Is]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2024-01-17]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]The Pacific Island nation of Nauru says it is changing its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. 
[00:11.43]The move reduces the number of Taiwan's diplomatic allies to 12 around the world.
[00:20.60]Nauru's government announced the change this week, confirming it would re-establish diplomatic ties with China.
[00:31.86]China claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory. 
[00:38.05]So countries must choose whether to establish diplomatic relations with China or Taiwan. 
[00:48.18]China has been pushing nations in recent years to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognize China.
[00:59.67]Chinese officials often try to persuade nations with promises of development aid.
[01:08.37]"This policy change is a significant first step in moving forward with Nauru's development," the government statement said.
[01:21.74]China welcomed Nauru's announcement.
[01:26.23]Nauru said it would move to a one-China policy. The one-China policy recognizes that Taiwan is part of China and accepts Beijing as the seat of government for China. 
[01:44.66]This differs from America's one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing as the seat of China's government, but does not take a position on which country rules Taiwan.
[02:01.70]The policy change was seen as a setback to Taiwan after it was announced just two days after the island held democratic elections. 
[02:15.64]The winner of those elections, President-elect Lai Ching-te, is set to take office in May. 
[02:24.77] has been described by China as a separatist.
[02:30.12]China has said Taiwan must come under the control of mainland China at some point. 
[02:39.48]Chinese forces have repeatedly held military exercises around the island in recent years to show the government's will and military strength.
[02:54.72]Lai's Democratic Progressive Party supports keeping Taiwan independent from China.
[03:02.66]Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang accused China of purposefully timing the news to the recent election.
[03:15.91]"China's intention is to attack the democracy and freedom that the Taiwanese people are proud of," Tien told a news briefing.
[03:27.07]Two retired U.S. officials praised Taiwan's democratic process in recent meetings with President Tsa Ing-wen and other leaders.
[03:40.51]The Biden administration asked the former officials to visit privately since the U.S. does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
[03:53.65]Nauru's announcement caught Jarden Kephas, the country's ambassador in Taiwan, by surprise.
[04:02.52]He told the AP, "There's nothing that I have to say. It was announced by my government and I was told to pack up and go."
[04:14.21]Taiwan now has official diplomatic ties with 11 countries and the Vatican, the seat of the Catholic Church. 
[04:24.38]Seven of the nations are in Latin America and the Caribbean, three are in the Pacific Islands, and one is in Africa.
[04:36.85]I'm Gregory Stachel.