Tuvalu is one of only 12 remaining diplomatic allies of Taipei as the US-China tensions intensify in the Pacific region.
Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan leader lost his seat in a closely watched election in the small Pacific island nation.
Saturday’s election results revealed that Prime Minister Kausea Natano will not return to his Funafuti Atoll seat, dealing a potential blow to Taipei’s efforts to retain its dwindling diplomatic allies.
Tuvalu, with a population of just 11,200, is one of only 12 states that officially recognizes Taiwan, and Mr. Natano has vowed to maintain ties with the autonomous island, which Beijing claims as territory. was.
Taipei lost one of its four remaining Pacific Island allies last month after Nauru switched recognition to China, following the Solomon Islands and Kiribati who switched recognition in 2019.
China refuses to recognize any country with formal ties to Taiwan, which has vowed to “unify” mainland China by force if necessary.
Mr Natano’s rival Seve Paeniu, who was returned to his seat, pledged during the campaign to review relations with Taipei and said he would seek support from MPs to become prime minister.
Lawmakers are expected to meet next week to vote on a new prime minister.
The election comes as small Pacific island states such as Tuvalu are at the center of competition for regional influence between China and the United States and its Western allies.
In November, Mr Natano signed a wide-ranging agreement with Australia, giving Canberra a say in Tuvalu’s defense ties with other countries in exchange for security for Tuvalu’s citizens threatened by climate change and a path to Australian residency. It became an empowering content.
Enele Sopoaga, another leadership candidate who retained his seat, argued that the agreement should be scrapped because it violated Tuvalu’s sovereignty.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Saturday congratulated Tuvalu on its “successful election”.
“I look forward to working with the new government,” Wong said.
“Australia and Tuvalu are long-standing friends and share an interest in building a stronger, more resilient and more peaceful Pacific.”