Taiwan loses another diplomatic ally, while unofficial US delegation offers support following presidential election

One of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies has cut ties with the self-governed island in favor of Beijing.

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- One of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies, the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru, has cut ties with the self-governed island in favor of Beijing. The move comes just days after Taiwan voted to elect the ruling Democratic Progressive Party candidate William Lai Ching-te, who the Chinese government calls a "troublemaker" for his pro-independence stance.

The Nauru government on Monday announced it would no longer recognize Taiwan as a separate country, leaving Taiwan with a new low of just 12 diplomatic allies, including Haiti, Paraguay, Guatemala and the Marshall Islands.

Taiwan's deputy foreign minister, Tien Chung-kwang, called it a retaliatory move for holding elections and accused China of using financial aid to buy over the country. "China thinks it can suppress Taiwan with such methods, I think it is wrong. The world has noticed Taiwan's democratic development," Tien said.

China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province that will be brought under its control by force if needed, unsurprisingly welcomed Nauru's switch, saying it "fully demonstrates once again that the one-China principle is the will of the people and the trend of the times."