Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Taiwan, Favors China

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - Nicaragua's government on Thursday cut long-standing diplomatic ties with Taiwan and shifted allegiance to Beijing in recognition of the Chinese Communist Party's One China policy.

Nicaragua's move reduced Taipei's dwindling pool of international allies.

"The People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China and Taiwan is an undoubted part of the Chinese territory," the Nicaraguan foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The government of the Republic of Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Taiwan as of today and stopped having any contact or official relationship," it added.

Taiwan responded quickly to Nicaragua's statement and expressed "pain and regret" over the decision.

The Taiwanese government said that the President of the Central American country, Daniel Ortega, has neglected the friendship between the people of Taiwan and Nicaragua.

Nicaragua's move leaves Taiwan with only 14 formal diplomatic allies, most of them being countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, plus a few smaller nations.

The move by Nicaragua also followed threats by future Honduran leaders to cut ties with Taipei.