Nicaragua today ended its diplomatic relations with Taiwan, leaving the self-ruled democratic island with just 14 formal diplomatic allies amid continuing pressure from China, which claims the island as its own.
Foreign Ministry of Nicaragua, a Central American country, announced this in a brief statement issued today.
“The Government of the Republic of Nicaragua declares that it recognises that in the world there is only one single China,” the statement read. “The People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Government of the Republic of Nicaragua today breaks diplomatic relations with Taiwan and ceases to have any contact or official relationship.”
Three hours after Nicaragua’s announcement, China’s State Council Information Office said the two signed a joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic ties in Tianjin.
Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, welcomed the move.
“We highly commend the right decision made by the Government of Nicaragua, which is in line with the prevailing trend of the times and people’s aspirations,” he tweeted, claiming Beijing’s One China principle was a “consensus widely accepted”.
In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it “deeply regretted” the decision of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to “disregard the friendship” of the Taiwanese people.
Taiwan also said that it was breaking off relations with Nicaragua, although the decision is widely seen as a unilateral move by Nicaragua.
