Beijing announced on Thursday that it has resumed diplomatic ties with Gambia, ending the decade-old diplomatic hostility between the African nation mainland China.

China had severed diplomatic ties with Gambia in 1995 following the latter's decision to recognize Taiwan as an independent nation. 

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Gambia's latest move can trigger off diplomatic rivalry between China and Taiwan, which could lead to both rival countries poaching each other's allies, a practice both nations have been following for many decades now.

"From here on, China and Gambia's relations have turned over a new leaf," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

"The early resumption of ties accords with the basic interests of both countries and conforms to the trend of the times and general trend of the development of China-Africa friendship and cooperation," Wang added.

In response, Gambia's Foreign Minister Macdouall-Gaye said Gambia supports "the national reunification, peaceful reunification" of China and Taiwan, signaling African nation's support for the "One China" principle.                                                     

Taiwan reacted sharply to the rapprochement between China and Gambia. Taiwan's President elect Tsai Ing-wen's party Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that Taiwan must not let this kind of incident happen again, adding that it hopes China and Taiwan will not engage in "target competition."

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, who will leave his office on May, termed China's action as "highly inappropriate."

Gambia was among the few nations in the world to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. The African nation, with barely 2 million population, is one of the poorest countries in African continent.

China's renewed attempt to win over Taiwan's allies has been perceived as a response targeted towards Taiwan's President elect Tsai Ing-wen, who is widely hailed as a pro independent leader. After Tsai Ing-wen's landside victory in January, Beijing has been issuing warnings to Taiwan that "any secessionist movement by Taiwan will be thwarted."

TagsGambia, china, Taiwan, China and Tiwan, China and Gambia, Taiwan independence