Waving flags of China and Nauru. Photo: 123RF
Nauru and China have "taken their bilateral ties to new heights", the island nation's Foreign Affairs Minister Lionel Aingimea says.
Aingimea made the comments at the one-year anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two nations last week.
The Micronesian nation is the world's smallest republic by both population and geography. It has around 11,000 residents and is located just over 2800 miles north of New Zealand.
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The country switched ties from Taiwan to Beijing in early January 2024, with the government at the time saying the decision was made in the best interest of its people.
Aingimea, who was Nauru's president from 2019 to 2022, said at the time that China puts words into action.
"In the year that has passed, Nauru and China have deepened their political mutual trust, have advanced mutually beneficial cooperation and taken their bilateral ties to new heights," he told attendees at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Nauru on Friday.
"These are not mere empty words but are manifesting into concrete tangible actions for the benefit of our nations," he added.
The Nauru government said Chinese Ambassador Lyu Jin said the one-year anniversary was "a testament to the partnership and shared progress; that over the past year, Nauru and China have maintained mutual respect, trust, and equality, addressing core interests and significant concerns."
It added that Lyu emphasised China's collaborations and contributions to Nauru, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the sports stadium project, medical specialist visits, and various scholarships.
