How ties with a small pacific island country highlights China’s reputational statecraft

Among the many noteworthy consequences of Taiwan’s recent elections, Nauru’s recognition of the One China Principle is perhaps the most underappreciated one. Having announced the diplomatic switch from Taipei to Beijing shortly after election day, Nauru’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Lionel Aingimea, formalized the re-establishment of diplomatic ties this Wednesday during a meeting with China’s chief diplomat and foreign minister, Wang Yi, in Beijing.