Chinese technicians were dismantling a satellite tracking station in the mid-Pacific nation of Kiribati, state-owned radio reported, after the country opened diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Radio Kiribati said a Chinese ship had arrived in Tarawa Tuesday and workers were dismantling the satellite station, on the eastern end of the island, which Beijing has maintained since 1997.
Government officials could not be reached for confirmation.
Kiribati President Anote Tong earlier this month announced his country was opening diplomatic ties with Taiwan, sparking protests from China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province.
China continues to maintain its mission on Tarawa but its ambassador Ma Shuxue told Radio Kiribati that Beijing would suspend relations next week if ties were maintained with Taiwan.
Kiribati is currently the only nation in the world with diplomatic ties with both China and Taiwan.
