Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan PM Kausea Natano loses seat in election keenly watched by Beijing, US

Prime Minister Natano had pledged to continue support for Taiwan, a diplomatic ally since 1979. Another leadership contender, Seve Paeniu, has said diplomatic ties should be reviewed, with the new government deciding whether Taiwan or Beijing can best respond to Tuvalu’s needs.

The diplomatic tussle between Taipei and China comes amid a wider contest for influence in the Pacific between China and the US, with Washington recently pledging the first submarine cable to connect Tuvalu to global telecommunications.

Results for the electorate of Funafuti released on Saturday by an election official on Tuvalu TV showed Natano did not retain his seat. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

Paeniu, who returned unopposed in the Nukulaelae island electorate, said he would seek to form a coalition among elected lawmakers to run for prime minister.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said its understanding was that most of those elected “support the maintenance of the friendship between the two sides”.

The ministry said it would pay close attention to post-election developments and continue to deepen friendship and cooperation with newly elected members of parliament to ensure stable relations.

There are no political parties in Tuvalu’s parliament, where two lawmakers are elected in each of eight island electorates.

Paeniu said on Saturday the issue of diplomatic recognition of Taiwan or Beijing should be debated by the new government.

“Our last government under Prime Minister Natano had extensive internal discussions about it upon the commencement of our term in government to determine our policy stance on it, so undoubtedly the new government would need to look at the matter and decide its policy position accordingly,” he said.

Tuvalu’s