Nauru president arrives in China on 6-day state visit

By Anadolu staff

President of the Republic of Nauru David Adeang arrived in China on Sunday on a six-day state visit, Chinese state television CGTN reported.

The visit is the first by the Nauruan president since the resumption of diplomatic relations with China, as the tiny South Pacific nation cut ties with Taiwan in January.

China stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to "cement political mutual trust, expand exchanges and cooperation across the board, deepen the friendship between our two peoples and further advance our bilateral relations," according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

Nauru, home to just 12,500 people, is one of the world's smallest countries. It recognized China in July 2002 after over two decades of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, before switching back to Taiwan in 2005.

China claims Taiwan as its breakaway province, but the latter has insisted on its independence since 1949.

Beijing earlier said Nauru’s decision of reestablishing diplomatic ties showed it recognized the one-China principle.