Beijing Envoy Denies Paying Nauru Millions to Switch Diplomatic Ties Away from Taiwan

Taiwan’s Central News Agency claims Nauru’s government was motivated to switch ties due to a $125 million shortfall in its budget.

Supporters of Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je wait for the results of the presidential election at the TPP headquarters in Xinzhuang in New Taipei City on January 13, 2024. (Photo by I-Hwa CHENG / AFP) I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images

Beijing has denied paying Pacific nation Nauru to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan.

In a surprise announcement, just two days after the Taiwan presidential election, Nauru declared it was switching diplomatic ties to the democratic island, while declaring in a statement that Taiwan was “an inalienable part of China’s territory.”