Is Tuvalu following the example of Nauru?
Taiwan is threatened with a new defeat by China due to a small state
January 27, 2024, 2:03 p.m
Listen to article
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
Because of the conflict with China, Taiwan is trying to maintain good relations with other countries in the Pacific – even if they are small. However, with the small state of Tuvalu, Taipei could lose a partner and turn to Beijing of all places. Just like another island has already done.
Taiwan risks losing another ally in the dispute with China over diplomatic recognition. In the Pacific island state of Tuvalu it became apparent on Saturday that the pro-Taiwanese head of government Kausea Natano would not be re-elected to the parliament of the tiny state consisting of nine islands and 11,200 inhabitants.
The vote is internationally significant because China and the USA, which is allied with Taiwan, are fighting for influence in the Pacific region. In this context, the USA has also promised to connect the island state to the global communications network for the first time via undersea cable.
Natano had announced before the election that he would maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan that have existed since 1979. His competitor Seve Paeniu, who was elected to parliament, wants to review relations with Taiwan.
Parliamentarism with hurdles
There are no political parties in Tuvalu’s parliament, which elects two representatives in each of the island’s eight constituencies. The parliamentarians elect a new head of government from among themselves. The date for this will be announced next week. The new MPs sometimes have to take boat trips of up to 27 hours to get to Parliament.
Natano signed a far-reaching agreement with Australia last November that, among other things, provided for cooperation on security issues as well as port and telecommunications projects. The contract is seen as an attempt to curb China’s influence as a provider of infrastructure measures on the Pacific islands.
Nauru also turned to China
The election could be a bitter defeat for Taiwan. The government in Taipei only has three allies in the Pacific. At the beginning of the year, the island of Nauru, one of the smallest states in the world, switched sides and established diplomatic relations with the government in Beijing.
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and is putting pressure on all states that have contacts with the island republic off the Chinese mainland. Tuvalu became known to the wider international community in 2021 when then Foreign Minister Simon Kofe gave a speech for the World Climate Summit. He stood knee-deep in water to point out the danger of rising sea levels due to climate change, which threatens to flood parts of Tuvalu.