Nauru remains steadfast in its adherence to the one-China principle, Lionel Aingimea, Nauruan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade affirmed on Monday after the inauguration of the country's embassy in Beijing.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Aingimea reaffirmed Nauru's recognition of China's sovereignty over all its territories, including Taiwan, and expressed hopes that other Pacific nations would embrace this principle.
"For us, the one-China principle is recognizing that the People's Republic of China is sovereign over all its territories, including Taiwan, the province of China. We believe that to be true. And I sincerely hope that our other Pacific brothers and sisters, who have not yet seen that that is the correct way to go, to recognize the one-China principle, and to realize that the sovereignty of the people to Republic of China over all its territories and its provinces is paramount, not just to recognizing that principle, but to their development also," said Aingimea.
Pragmatic cooperation has been one of the highlights of bilateral relations between China and Nauru over the past year, said Aingimea.
The two countries have conducted pragmatic and effective cooperation projects in the fields of education, culture, health and infrastructure, and the cooperation prospect for the two countries is bright, Aingimea said.
"To see you as a side-to-side brother, see you as a side-to-side friend, that you're walking together in the international arena, is very important. There are other countries that they see smaller countries, they look down on them. China does not. China treats me in the same way it treats every other single foreign minister. We also came from that, I suppose, the least developed, to now being an incredibly well-developed country. China has never forgotten that. That's how they see Nauru, and therefore when we go forward, we remember going forward with you, because we remember where we come from, we know where you are," said Aingimea.
Nauru resumed its diplomatic ties with China on the basis of the one-China principle on Jan 24, 2024, becoming the 183rd country having diplomatic relations with China.
Nauru reaffirms unwavering commitment to one-China principle
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he estimates a deal with Iran will be signed "in the next day or two."
Trump said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 News that the United States and Iran will probably meet over the weekend to finalize a deal to end the war. "The Iranians want to meet and make a deal," he said.
He said "the naval blockade on Iran is helping to make a deal. I will not lift it until we make a deal," adding that "the biggest part of this deal is that it will make Israel safer. This deal is good for Israel."
According to the channel, one component of the deal under discussion is that the United States will release 20 billion U.S. dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
In exchange, Iran would give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, and would be only allowed to have nuclear research reactors to produce medical isotopes, all above ground.
Trump also stressed that Israel must stop the strikes on Lebanon, saying, "They can't keep blowing up buildings. I'm not going to allow that."
Also on Friday, Trump said in a phone interview with Bloomberg that a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is mostly complete as talks over a lasting peace deal will "probably" be held this weekend in Pakistan.
Trump said in the phone interview that Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, and will not receive any frozen funds from the United States.
"Most of the main points are finalized. It'll go pretty quickly," Trump said.
Asked if he would travel to Pakistan to sign the potential deal, Trump said: "I may."
Trump again denied that the moratorium on Iran's nuclear program would expire after 20 years. "No years, unlimited," Trump said.
The United States will get all of Iran's nuclear "dust" with no money having exchanged hands "in any way, shape, or form," Trump wrote on social media earlier on Friday. Multiple Western media outlets have interpreted Trump's reference to nuclear "dust" as meaning Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iran has yet to comment on any deal beyond the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, nor on claims made by Trump that Tehran had offered concessions, including over the key issue of its nuclear program.
If the United States continues its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire between the two countries and will close the waterway, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Friday, citing an informed source close to the Supreme National Security Council.
The Iranian side has yet to respond to the media report on the enriched uranium issue.
The United States and Iran had their first round of negotiations in Pakistan's Islamabad last weekend to ease tension in the Middle East. The talks, which failed to produce an agreement, took place after a ceasefire was announced on April 8 between Iran, the United States, and Israel, following 40 days of fighting.
Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The United States also imposed a naval blockade on the strait following the failed negotiations in Islamabad.
Earlier on Friday, both Washington and Tehran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the waterway again if the U.S. blockade continues.
Trump says may sign deal with Iran "in the next day or two": Israeli media
Trump claims peace deal with Iran mostly complete: report
