Nauru cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan, switches allegiance to China

Nauru, with a population of about 10,000, had been one of 13 nations worldwide with a formal diplomatic relationship with Taiwan. China claims self-governing Taiwan as its territory and has been peeling off Taiwan's diplomatic allies, often with promises of development aid. It's a long-running competition between the two that has swung in China's favour in recent years. Taiwan's foreign ministry expressed "deep regret" at the move, and accused China of retaliating against the island nation following the weekend polls. "This timing is not only China's retaliation against our democratic elections but also a direct challenge to the international order….