Following the Republic of Nauru's defection to Beijing just three years ago, Taiwan and the tiny South Pacific state once again restored formal diplomatic ties yesterday, with Nauru's leader saying that "talks about financial assistance may come at a later stage."
The re-establishment of ties was cemented with a joint communique between Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (
"Nauru actively contacted us on re-establishing ties. This proves that Taiwan's democratic achievement and economic development have been highly recognized by the international community," Chen said.
PHOTO: CNA
Taiwan terminated ties with Nauru, the world's smallest independent republic, in July 2002 after it established ties with Beijing in May of that year, under the leadership of then president Rene Harris. Taiwan and Nauru had been allies for 22 years. Ties with Beijing were said to have been sealed around promises of financial assistance.
While Scotty assured reporters yesterday that he had consolidated power back home, Nauru is known for its frequent changes of leadership. The island saw six presidencies in 2003, before Scotty took power in June last year. Harris has been elected on four separate occasions, and Scotty also served a brief two-month term in 2003 before being deposed by a vote of no confidence.
The Republic of Nauru had once been rich in phosphate derived from guano and depended primarily on the export of this mineral. Ninety years of mining effectively exhausted the nation's resources however, leaving the financially-strapped nation largely dependent on foreign aid. Following the depletion of its primary industry, the nation faced an unemployment rate of 90 percent last year, according to the CIA's World Factbook. The same source put the nation's external debts at US$33.3 million in 2002.
The island, with an area of just 21.3km2 and a population of 12,800, is a member to various international organizations, including the UN, the World Health Organization and the Asian Development Bank. Chen said yesterday that Scotty had vowed to support Taiwan's efforts at increased international participation.
Asked yesterday if his nation was seeking or expecting a pledge of economic aid from Taiwan, Scotty told reporters that "these things happen. Everyone knows in bilateral relations there are mutual benefits that can be achieved."
Explaining that Nauru had successfully sought and received assistance from international bodies, Scotty nevertheless said that his country might still need financial help from Taiwan in coming days.
"These assistances that we are looking for elsewhere ... even from your country, the beautiful country of Taiwan, we may need some. This will come at a later stage, resulting from further negotiations between our two governments," Scotty said, saying he felt Taiwan was a "worthwhile" friend.
The addition of Nauru to Taiwan's short list of diplomatic allies brings the total to 26 nations. It is expected that Beijing will cut ties with Nauru following the island's re-establishment of links with Taipei, but Taiwan's recent experience with former ally Vanuatu could suggest otherwise.
Vanuatu was at the center of a diplomatic row between Taiwan and China after it switched allegiance to Taipei last November. Vanuatu's diplomatic relationship with Taiwan was short-lived however, as the nation restored ties with Beijing just one month later, deposing the leader who had cemented ties with Taiwan.
Following the announcement of the two nations' renewed ties yesterday, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) received Scotty at the Presidential Office.
Chen told his guest that he had the feeling that Taiwan and Nauru would restore their diplomatic ties before too long.
Additional reporting by Huang Tai-lin
‘LOCAL TRANSMISSION’: The nation reported 11 new cases, including seven local infections in the north, the highest daily number of cases since the pandemic began The COVD-19 situation has entered the “local transmission” stage and enhanced disease prevention measures have been implemented until June 8, the Central Epidemic Command Center announced yesterday as it reported six locally transmitted cases with unclear infection sources. The center reported 11 new cases yesterday: four imported cases from India, and seven local infections in northern Taiwan, the highest daily number of cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center, said that one of the local infections — case No. 1,201 — is a woman who is a family member living with
‘DOWN TO ZERO 2.0’: All pilots are to undergo quarantine at government centers, while cabin crew on long-haul flights have to quarantine for 14 days The Central Epidemic Command Center yesterday announced stricter measures to contain a COVID-19 outbreak among China Airlines (華航) flight crew, as the nature of the confirmed cases indicated an unknown chain of transmission within the airline. The “Down to Zero 2.0” plan will be tough on China Airlines personnel, but is necessary to minimize the risk to society, said Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the center. Under the measures, all China Airlines pilots and copilots are to be recalled to undergo quarantine at government centers, while cabin crew who are returning from long-haul flights or who have
TAKING NOTICE: In the first time that G7 foreign ministers have mentioned Taiwan in a joint communique, they called for ‘peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait’ The Presidential Office yesterday thanked the G7 foreign ministers for their strong support of Taiwan after the group in its joint statement on Wednesday called for the nation’s participation in the WHO, and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The ministers in a communique issued at the end of their three-day meeting declared support for “Taiwan’s meaningful participation” in WHO forums and the World Health Assembly (WHA). “The international community should be able to benefit from the experience of all partners, including Taiwan’s successful contribution to the tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said. The statement included a section
SHOPPING MALL: People who have been to places visited by the confirmed cases at about the same time should pay attention to their health condition and report symptoms The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday revealed several locations in Taoyuan and Taipei visited by two people confirmed to have COVID-19 when they were likely contagious. Case No. 1,183 — a China Airlines (華航) pilot, the husband of case No. 1,184 — on May 1 visited the “Pilot in Cafe” coffee shop from 12pm to 12:30pm, the Gloria Outlets (華泰名品城) shopping mall from 1pm to 1:30pm and Hutung Peng’s Old Shop Xinjiang Ramen (胡同彭家老舖新疆拉麵) from 2pm to 2:30pm, all in Taoyuan, the CECC said. People who visited the venues at about those times should pay attention to their health condition, and
RSS