China demands Nauru apology over envoy

Nauru President Baron Waqa's labelling of a Chinese envoy as "very insolent" has prompted calls for an apology from China's Foreign Ministry.

File image: Nauru's President Baron Divavesi Waqa Source: AAP

China's Foreign Ministry says Nauru should apologise for its behaviour after its president, Baron Waqa, demanded China formally apologise 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 on Thursday.

Nauru hosted leaders of 18 Pacific nations, plus delegations from non-member countries including the United States and China.

But 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 recognises Taiwan, which China views as a wayward Chinese province.