Nicaragua snaps ties with Taiwan, makes China happy

China has expressed happiness and established diplomatic relations with Nicaragua after the latter cut ties with Taiwan and endorsed the “One China Policy”, Chinese state media reported. “The Government of Nicaragua recognizes and commits to abide by the one-China principle, severs the so-called ‘diplomatic relations’ with Taiwan, resumes diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and undertakes that it shall no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. This is the right choice that is in line with the global trend and has people’s support. China highly appreciates this decision,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The two countries signed a communique on the establishment of ties in the early hours of Friday in the Chinese city of Tianjin, Sputnik reported, citing Chinese Central Television. On Thursday, Nicaragua Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said in a televised announcement the government of Nicaragua declares that it recognises that there is only one China in the world.

Nicaragua’s announcement leaves a little more than a dozen countries worldwide that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including fellow Central American countries Honduras and Guatemala.

Although Taiwan and China have been separately governed for more than 70 years, Beijing views the democratic island of 24 million people as part of its territory and has regularly stated its aim of “reunification,” despite the fact Taiwan has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party.

In a statement, Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed “pain and regret” at the news and said it would, in turn, sever diplomatic relations with Nicaragua, halt bilateral cooperation, and evacuate staffers from the country, reported CNN.

“The Ortega presidency disregarded the long-term friendship between Taiwanese and Nicaraguan that shared weal and woe. We are very sorry to see that,” it said, referring to Nicaragua’s recently re-elected leader Daniel Ortega.

Under President Xi Jinping, China has steadily ramped up its global influence and outreach. It has been luring with “benefits” or arm-twisting countries to sever ties with Taiwan.