China says Nauru should apologise for its behaviour

China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Nauru should apologize for its behavior, after its president, Baron Waqa, demanded China formally apologize following a dispute with Beijing's representative at this week's Pacific Islands Forum.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comment at a daily news briefing in Beijing.

Nauru hosted leaders of 18 Pacific nations, plus delegations from non-member countries including the United States and China, and Waqa criticised China's envoy as "very insolent" and a "bully" for speaking out of turn at the forum's opening session.

Nauru and China do not have diplomatic ties. Nauru instead recognizes Taiwan, which China views as a wayward Chinese province. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)