On the morning of 10 December 2021, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu held talks with Laureano Ortega, the representative of the Nicaraguan government, in Tianjin. They signed the Joint Communiqué on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Nicaragua, and met the press afterwards.

Ma noted that he and the representative of the Nicaraguan government signed the Joint Communiqué on the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations on behalf of the two governments. In the communiqué, the government of the Republic of Nicaragua recognizes that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The Republic of Nicaragua shall sever “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan as of this day, and undertakes that it shall no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. The government of the People’s Republic of China appreciates this position of the government of the Republic of Nicaragua.

Ma stressed that the one-China principle is a universally-agreed norm governing international relations and the general consensus of the international community. The government of Nicaragua has made a political decision to recognize and commit to abide by the one-China principle, and resume diplomatic ties with China without preconditions. This serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Nicaragua and its people. It is a full and further demonstration that the commitment to the one-China principle is the right choice in keeping with global justice and the trend of the times. This commitment has the support of the people and is in line with the global trend.

Ma pointed out that today marks a new chapter in China-Nicaragua relations. Upon resumption of diplomatic relations, China stands ready to work with Nicaragua on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to enhance cooperation in various fields and steadily develop bilateral relations to the benefit of the two countries and peoples. China supports Nicaragua’s efforts on COVID response and is ready to actively carry out wide-ranging cooperation with Nicaragua in such areas as economy, livelihoods, social development, infrastructure, trade and investment. China will further strengthen communication and coordination with Nicaragua on multilateral affairs. China looks forward to working with Nicaragua to safeguard world peace, promote common development and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ortega emphasized the historic significance of this day. He noted that resuming diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China is completely in line with the fundamental desire and interests of the Nicaraguan people. The government of Nicaragua recognizes the one-China principle,and recognizes that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nicaragua has already severed the so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan, and undertakes that it shall no longer have any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. Nicaragua highly commends the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping. Nicaragua supports the Global Development Initiative put forth by China, stands ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road cooperation, and looks forward to carrying out wide-ranging cooperation with China in the political, economic, social and cultural fields. Nicaragua will play an active part to help promote China’s relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries and advance South-South cooperation. Nicaragua is convinced that by working in solidarity and coordination, the two countries will jointly safeguard the process of multilateralism, promote common development, and deliver benefits for both countries and peoples.