US only dirties its hands with its smears

Despite acknowledging the fact that Nauru seeking the full resumption of diplomatic relations with China is an independent decision made by a sovereign country, the US State Department has seized it as an opportunity to smear Beijing.

Shortly after Nauru announced on Jan 15 that it had severed “‘diplomatic relations’ with Taiwan as of this day” and it would “no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges” with the island, the US State Department issued a statement saying the decision was a “disappointing one”.

It then took the opportunity to allege that China “makes promises in exchange for diplomatic relations that ultimately remain unfulfilled”. Washington also said that the US will continue to deepen and expand its engagement with Taiwan and support its “meaningful participation in the international community”. It knows full well that this will be taken as a message of support to Lai Ching-te, the island’s newly elected leader, who has previously made clear his pro-independence stance. But the US State Department disingenuously claimed that this engagement would be consistent with the US’ one-China policy.

The US’ ulterior motive is not so glibly disguised, as evidenced in the US House of Representatives’ move to advance several bills concerning the Chinese island this month, with one of them, the “Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2023”, supporting Taiwan as a member of the International Monetary Fund, a move aimed at expanding the international space for the island and a bid to put increased pressure on Beijing.

Lest there be any doubt about the matter, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made clear that Taiwan has no legitimate reasons or rights to participate in international organizations such as the IMF, which are reserved for sovereign states. The bill attempts to manipulate the Taiwan question by promoting “one China, one Taiwan” or “two Chinas”.

Mao Ning urged the US to recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan question, immediately cease interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop sending wrong signals to pro-independence forces on the island, and refrain from harming China-US relations and the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

Since Lai’s election win, he has adopted a more conciliatory position, saying that maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability would be his mission. That this came after his “double minority win” in the recent elections indicates that he realizes the pro-independence agenda of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities lacks popular support. The US may find the island is more circumspect about its pro-independence antics.

Nauru’s decision to resume diplomatic relations with Beijing is the correct choice that upholds the international order. The moves of the US, on the other hand, show its disregard for that order and its dishonesty in claiming to be the champion of its rules and values.