中文
By Setope So'oa'emalelagi
There is an old South Pacific Island fisherman's proverb that goes something like this in Samoan language, "Aua ete tilotilo i le i'a ae manumanu le upega." It means – "Don't only look at the fish but cherish the net."
On January 15, 2024, Nauru President David Adeang proclaimed on local media in Nauru and on international media outlets that Nauru was emphatic and resolute – in that – the moment of truth and sovereignty had arrived. "The Republic of Nauru will no longer recognize the Republic of China (Taiwan) as a separate country but rather as an inalienable part of China's territory, and will sever 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan as of this day and no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan."
This news came as a profound shock to the United States of America and especially China's Taiwan region, but not to the Pacific region.
The implications of Nauru's decision have taken the West by storm – particularly at a time when the United States is resisting any kind of minute overture by China in this region of the world.
International scholars are pretty unanimous on this matter. The South Pacific is seeking to expand either diplomatically, economically, or geopolitically in the largest ocean body separating the U.S. and China. After all, the South Pacific covering about one-third of planet Earth – is home to the most diverse ecosystems known to mankind and its ocean resources are unique. Not to mention a plethora of cultures, languages, and peoples – steeped in civilizations that we don't know much about.
Nevertheless, China's extraordinary diplomatic missions in the South Pacific – since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 – have resulted in multiple Island nations switching diplomatic recognition to China, with most recently Nauru in 2024.
To borrow a well-known metaphor – "A rising tide lifts all boats" – it adds meaning to President Xi Jinping's vision of the Pacific that "China's rise is good for all of the Pacific nations." "China will always be a good friend, brother and partner of Pacific Island countries, sharing common goals and standing together with them despite changes in the international landscape." In a way, it provides a prescient backdrop to the Island nation of Nauru to sever relations with the Taiwan region and explains why the United States and other Western countries are remonstrating the loss of what they viewed as their "ally for life."
The reality though for Nauru was that they were facing the "abyss" – a tiny no-arable land area of 21 square kilometers with a population of more than 12,000 people. Besides, after decades of strip mining of its phosphate resources, the landscape resembles the surface of Mars. There are many immediate concerns like clean drinking water, rising ocean tides, and healthcare in the island country.
The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nauru will bring tangible benefits to local population and provide new momentum for the economic development of Nauru. It prompted the President of Nauru David Adeang to navigate his people out of the "abyss." Nauru's move was in the best interest of the island nation and its people.
Currently, only a tiny handful of countries maintain "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan. It's a wise decision for Nauru to be in line with the trend of times.
For the Nauruan people, understanding China diplomatically and politically has taken time, and 2024 marks a maturing of China-Nauru bilateral relations. The Nauruan people are proud – rich in history and culture and presenting a blend of Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian communities. This "Look East" attitude and acknowledgment that perhaps security is found "in" the East and not "from" the East – starts but does not end with the notion mentioned in the introduction. And as the old Pacific Island fisherman once said, "Don't only look at the fish but cherish the net."
Setope So'oa'emalelagi, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a South Pacific Society and Culture and Samoan Language lecturer at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
