The Pacific nation of Nauru has severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan, leaving only 12 countries recognizing the island's independence

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The Nauruan government said it "will no longer recognize Taiwan as a separate country, but rather as an integral part of Chinese territory." The Pacific state's authorities did not specify the reasons for their actions.

Taiwan called Nauru's actions "China's retaliatory strike against our democratic elections" and expressed confidence that Nauru took this step in exchange for financial assistance from Beijing.

• This is not the first time Nauru has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan. In 2002, the Pacific nation sided with China, but three years later it again chose relations with Taipei over Beijing.
• Nauru is one of the few countries in the world that has recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Shortly after this announcement, Russia provided Nauru with financial aid.
• The PRC and Taiwan authorities simultaneously claim sovereignty over all Chinese territory (mainland + Taiwan island); both states consider themselves the only "real" China. This makes it impossible for any third country to simultaneously establish diplomatic relations with both Beijing and Taipei. After Nauru's actions, Taiwan retains diplomatic relations with 11 UN member states , as well as the Vatican. Many countries (including the US, Russia, and EU states) maintain de facto relations with Taiwan through economic and cultural "representative offices."
• On January 13, Taiwan held a presidential election, which was won by the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Qingde, who adheres to a tough policy towards the PRC.