Nauru cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan, switches allegiance to China

News Snapshot:

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....