The first year of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Nicaragua, after the abrupt break of the regime with Taiwan, was characterized mainly by the great promises of commercial exchanges and the small miscellaneous aid from the Asian giant.
One year into the relationship CONFIDENTIAL publishes a special report on China’s great promises that do not materialize and Daniel Ortega is still waiting. Experts in the relations of the Asian giant with the West are skeptical about the commercial dynamism of which the regime speaks and consider that China sees Nicaragua as a geopolitical piece and not as an economic partner. These are fourteen dates that marked this first year.
2021
December 9
Foreign Minister Denis Moncada, in a surprise appearance, announces the rupture of diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Taiwan. “Nicaragua recognizes that the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents one China,” he said.
December 10
The resumption of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Nicaragua is signed in Beijing. The agreement was signed by Laureano Ortega Murillo, son of the dictator Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
December 11
The dictator Daniel Ortega appears publicly to justify the diplomatic decision. He alleges an alleged “revolutionary twinning” and political and ideological affinity with mainland China.
December 12th
The delegation that traveled to Beijing to sign the resumption of diplomatic relations lands in Managua along with a shipment of 800,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine against covid-19, donated by China.
December 26
Nicaragua confiscates the Taiwanese embassy and all its assets, after the Government of that nation announced that they would be donated to the Catholic Church.
December 31
China inaugurates its embassy in Nicaragua. The Chinese flag was raised for the first time in 31 years in a special ceremony held at the new diplomatic headquarters, located on the outskirts of the Nicaraguan capital.
2022
January 10
Nicaragua joins the New Silk Road, a Chinese initiative that brings together 70 countries and seeks to strengthen maritime and rail links between Asia, Europe and America.
January 28
Rosario Murillo announces the social housing program financed by China that would supposedly take place throughout the year.
April 27
Laureano Ortega Murillo and the Minister of Finance, Iván Acosta, sign the agreement for the housing program for an amount of 60 million dollars, financed by the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
12th of July
Nicaragua and China sign the “Early Harvest Agreement” to allow the commercial exchange of export and import goods with preferential tariffs.
August 2nd
The regime “strongly” condemns the visit of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan, calling it a “provocation” to China.
September 7th
The National Assembly of the regime approves the “Early Harvest Agreement”. That same day, the start of negotiations for a free trade agreement with China is announced, which they promise will take only a few months.
November 8th
China’s donation of an indeterminate amount of equipment for use by the Ortega Police riot squads, who are the main people in charge of the repression against the civilian population in Nicaragua, is announced.
December 8
Laureano Ortega Murillo, as presidential adviser representing the dictatorship, directs an act to commemorate the first year of the reestablishment of relations between China and Nicaragua. The act was not attended by Daniel Ortega or Rosario Murillo and was limited to a concert with melodies from both countries.
