China and Taiwan's eight-year diplomatic truce ended after the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Gambian counterpart Neneh MacDouall-Gaye signed a Joint Communique in Beijing, which is a signal of the official establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Here is an excerpt from the Communique statement: "The People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of The Gambia...have agreed and decided to resume diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level as of the date of the signing of this Joint Communique."
The renewed national reunifications of the two countries were fortified when they also agreed to exchange ambassadors. China.org reported that the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations allows the two countries to provide necessary assistance for the establishment of embassies and the performance of their respective duties on a reciprocal basis.
China and Gambia are now official allies; the Chinese government supports the Gambian government in its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and develop the economy.
During the signing of the Joint Communique, Wang Yi stated that "From here on, China and Gambia's relations have turned over a new leaf...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," as reported in Reuters
According to Channel News Asia, the two countries began their unofficial diplomatic truce in 2008 when its leaders signed a series of landmark trade and economic agreements. This was after Taiwan's election of president Ma Ying-jeou. That time, China was still trying to convince Taiwan of its friendly intentions after decades of hostility and suspicion.
Gambia had recognised mainland China as an ally from 1974 to 1995, before moving over to Taiwan's side. This small, West-African state had silently witnessed China's and Taiwan's hostile treatment towards each others for decades. Gambia's cut relations with Taiwan last 2013 triggered further hostility, which also caused China to hold back from establishing formal ties.
The two countries often tried to poach each other's allies by sending generous aid packages in front of the leaders of developing nations. But the Joint Communique would hopefully end this feud, as the Chinese Foreign Minister said "it hoped China and Taiwan would not engage in target competition," in a report by the Channel News Asia.
