US says Taiwan ally’s move to China ‘disappointing’

The State Department denounced Nauru’s decision to cut off ties with Taiwan on Monday, siding the pacific island diplomatically with China.

With the shift, just 11 countries and Vatican City recognize the independence of Taiwan, as China continues a push to ice its rival out of international diplomacy. China claims the island as its own territory and has long offered significant developmental aid packages to states that change allegiances.

The State Department called the move “disappointing.”

“Taiwan is a reliable, likeminded, and democratic partner,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. “The PRC [People’s Republic of China] often makes promises in exchange for diplomatic relations that ultimately remain unfulfilled.”

“We encourage all countries to expand engagement with Taiwan and to continue to support democracy, good governance, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law,” he added.

While the U.S. does not officially recognize Taiwan, the Biden administration holds significant unofficial relations and has backed the island nation against China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry welcomed Nauru’s diplomatic shift. 

“This policy change is a significant first step in moving forward with Nauru’s development,” the ministry said.

The decision to reestablish ties with China “once again shows that the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends,” the ministry continued.

The move comes just after Taiwan’s election, where the ruling party strongly opposed by China won reelection. Vice President Lai Ching-te, who goes by William, easily won Saturday’s election on a platform of Taiwanese nationalism.

Following the election, President Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’s loyalty to the “One China” policy in recognizing Beijing’s claims that Taiwan is historically part of the mainland.

“We do not support independence,” Biden said Saturday on the South Lawn when asked about the election results.