Nauru to sever 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan

SYDNEY - The Republic of Nauru announced Monday that it will recognize the one-China principle and sever "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.

In a post on Facebook, the government of Nauru said that it will follow the UN Resolution 2758, which recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory.

Nauru will no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan, stated the government.

Nauru's President David Adeang will deliver a statement in this regard at the next parliament sitting, and a national address on local television and radio channels, the post said.

China appreciates and welcomes the decision of the government of the Republic of Nauru to recognize the one-China principle, break the so-called diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and to reestablish diplomatic ties with China, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

China stands ready to work with Nauru to open new chapters of bilateral relations on the basis of the one-China principle, said the spokesperson.

Nauru is an island country in the central Pacific, with a land area of 21.1 square kilometers and a population of about 13,000.