The US was disappointed by Nauru’s decision on Monday to cut ties with Taiwan and that a 1971 UN resolution was “distorted” to justify the move, the visiting chairwoman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said yesterday.
“While the government of Nauru’s action on January 15 to sever its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan is a sovereign decision, it is nonetheless a disappointing one,” AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger said at a news conference in Taipei when asked about Nauru’s move.
Rosenberger also expressed disappointment over Nauru’s statement that the decision was consistent with the “one China principle ... in line with UN Resolution 2758, which recognizes the People’s Republic of China [PRC] as the sole legal government representing the whole of China.”
Photo: Yang Yao-ju, Taipei Times
UN Resolution 2758 “did not make a determination on the status of Taiwan; does not preclude countries from having diplomatic relationships with Taiwan; and does not preclude Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system,” Rosenberger said. “It is disappointing to see distorted narratives about UN Resolution 2758 being used as a tool to pressure Taiwan, limit its voice on the international stage, and influence its diplomatic relationships.”
Nauru’s citing of the 1971 resolution was the first time that a former ally has used it as a justification for switching diplomatic recognition, a diplomatic source said on Monday.
UN Resolution 2758 was adopted by the 26th UN General Assembly in 1971 to solve the issue of China’s representation in the UN and ultimately led to the UN’s decision to expel Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China (ROC), and have the PRC take its place in the international organization.
The resolution passed on Oct. 25, 1971, recognizes the PRC as the “only lawful representative of China.”
Taiwan and the US have repeatedly argued that it does not mention Taiwan, does not state that “Taiwan is part of the PRC,” and does not explicitly authorize Beijing to represent Taiwan at the UN.
Commenting on the severance of ties, Rosenberger praised Taiwan as a “reliable like-minded and democratic partner,” and said that the US would continue to support its meaningful participation in the international community consistent with its longstanding “one China” policy.
In Washington, the US Department of State said in a statement on Monday that “while the Government of Nauru’s action on January 15 to sever its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan is a sovereign decision, it is nonetheless a disappointing one.”
“Taiwan is a reliable, like-minded, and democratic partner. The PRC 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,” the statement said.
Nauru’s severing of ties came two days after Vice President William Lai (賴清德) of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected president and left Taiwan with only 12 UN member states as diplomatic allies.
It was also the 10th diplomatic ally Taipei has lost to Beijing since President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office in May 2016.
It is the second time Nauru has cut ties with Taiwan. Taiwan first established diplomatic relations with Nauru in 1980 before the Pacific island nation cut ties and recognized Beijing in July 2002.
In May 2005, Taiwan and Nauru re-established diplomatic relations and opened an embassy in each other’s capitals. Beijing consequently severed its relations with Nauru.
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