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Taiwan loses another ally to China as Nicaragua recognises Chinese sovereignty

WION Web Team
NEW DELHIUpdated: Dec 12, 2021, 05:46 PM IST
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Taiwan flags can be seen at a square ahead of the national day celebration in Taoyuan Photograph:(Reuters)
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Taiwan lost Nicaragua as a diplomatic ally after the Central American country said it would officially recognise only China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory.

Nicaragua severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Thursday and renewed ties with China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.

Nicaragua's foreign ministry declared in a statement that "the government of the Republic of Nicaragua today terminates diplomatic relations with Taiwan and ceases to have any communication or official interaction."

"The People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government that represents all of China," the ministry stated, adding that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. 

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In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry said it "deeply regrets" Nicaragua's decision to "unilaterally" sever ties.

"To safeguard national sovereignty and dignity, Taiwan has decided to terminate diplomatic relations with Nicaragua with immediate effect, end all bilateral cooperation projects and aid programs, and recall staff of its Embassy and Technical Mission in Nicaragua," the Taiwanese ministry said in the statement.

On Friday, government officials from Nicaragua and China will meet in the Chinese city of Tianjin.

Watch | Nicaragua breaks diplomatic ties with Taiwan to align with Beijing's interests

Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the United Nations, praised Nicaragua, adding that Beijing applauded the decision.

"The One-China principle is a widely established international consensus that is unchallengeable," Zhang stated.

China has intensified its efforts to woo Taiwan's remaining allies, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean, with El Salvador and the Dominican Republic switching sides in 2018, and Panama the year before.

Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Paraguay, and Belize are just a few of the countries in this region who recognise Taiwan.

Taiwan now has only 14 formal diplomatic allies after Nicaragua's decision.

Taiwan is recognised by the following countries:

  1.     Guatemala
  2.     Honduras
  3.     Haiti
  4.     Paraguay
  5.     Eswatini
  6.     Tuvalu
  7.     Nauru
  8.     Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  9.     Saint Kitts and Nevis
  10.     Saint Lucia
  11.     Belize
  12.     Marshall Islands
  13.     Palau
  14.     Vatican City/Holy See (U.N. observer state, not official member)

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(With inputs from agencies)