On July 21, 2002, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhou Wenzhong and President Rene Harris signed in Hong Kong, on behalf of their respective governments, the Joint Communiqué of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Nauru on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and decided upon mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level as from 21 July 2002.

The Chinese Government supports the efforts made by the Government of the Republic of Nauru to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and develop its national economy. The Government of the Republic of Nauru recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The Government of the Republic of Nauru has decided to sever its "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan as of 21 July 2002. The two Governments have agreed to provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of the functions of diplomatic missions in their respective capitals in accordance with relevant provisions and international practice and on a reciprocal basis.

Spokesman Kong Quan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China made remarks that day, congratulating on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru. He said that both China and Nauru are developing countries, and share a lot in common in many fields. The normalization of relations between China and Nauru conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and will open broad prospects for the two sides to further develop friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation. China would like to work with Nauru to establish and develop an all-round cooperative relationship of long-term stability, sincerity and friendship.