China-Nauru ties established

China has signed an agreement establishing diplomatic relations with the tiny Pacific island state of Nauru.

The joint communique was signed at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Hong Kong office by Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong and Rene Harris, President of the Republic of Nauru.

This was the first time that China has signed a diplomatic establishment agreement in Hong Kong since it regained sovereignty of the former British colony five years ago.

The ministry said Nauru had severed its diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province.