Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Marshall Islands
Relationship assessment
Relations have been strained since the Marshall Islands recognized Taiwan and China ended diplomatic relations in 1998.
People's Republic of China toward Marshall Islands
-40China ended diplomatic relations with the Marshall Islands in 1998 after it shifted recognition to Taiwan, making Taiwan’s international status the central source of bilateral friction.
Marshall Islands toward People's Republic of China
-35The Marshall Islands shifted diplomatic recognition from China to Taiwan in 1998 and has maintained that recognition, a policy at odds with China’s position on Taiwan.
Overall relationship
-35The relationship is shaped by the Marshall Islands’ recognition of Taiwan and China’s response of ending diplomatic relations in 1998. That enduring dispute outweighs the limited evidence of other bilateral cooperation or disagreement.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations are shaped chiefly by the Marshall Islands’ diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. After the Marshall Islands shifted recognition from the People’s Republic of China to Taiwan in 1998, China ended diplomatic relations. The Marshall Islands has maintained its recognition of Taiwan, leaving the bilateral relationship marked by a persistent dispute over Taiwan’s international status.
Areas of tension
- The Marshall Islands’ diplomatic recognition of Taiwan conflicts with China’s position that Taiwan is part of China.
Key developments
The Marshall Islands shifted diplomatic recognition from the People’s Republic of China to Taiwan; China ended diplomatic relations in response.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of any informal government contacts or practical cooperation is unclear.
- The details and implementation of any measures accompanying the end of diplomatic relations are unclear.