Tiny Nauru Stands Up To Mighty China, Says It Must Apologise For ‘Arrogance’

A diplomatic fracas has broken out between Nauru and China over perceived disrespect by the latter towards the former. Nauru, a Micronesian island nation of 12,000 people was hosting leaders from 18 Pacific Ocean countries for the Pacific Islands Forum when the spat between the host nation and China occurred.

It is reported that the President of Nauru did not allow the head of the Chinese delegation to speak out of turn before the address by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu. The President of Nauru while expressing his displeasure at the attitude of the Chinese representative said that the behaviour reeked of insolence and bullying.

"They're not our friends. They just need us for their own purposes. Sorry, but I have to be strong on this because no one is to come and dictate things to us," said Baron Waqa, Nauru’s President.

“From this forum, all leaders know how arrogant some of these people are,” he added.

However, the real reason behind the tension between the two countries is speculated to be the recognition of Taiwan by Nauru. It is a longstanding Chinese policy to treat Taiwan as a part of the mainland country and it frowns upon any country dealing with Taiwan independently. However, the Nauru President states that he was following protocol while denying the Chinese representative, a diplomat, the opportunity to speak before a head of government.