Taiwan’s President Lai visits Pacific ally Tuvalu
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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te being greeted by members of the public at the international airport in Majuro, Marshall Islands, on Dec 3.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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FUNAFUTI - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in Tuvalu on Dec 4, a Tuvalu official said, reinforcing ties with the remote Pacific Island nation on the front line of climate change.
Mr Lai posted pictures on his Facebook page of his arrival at Funafuti airport, where he arrived by private jet from the Marshall Islands. He will stay for the day before leaving for Guam, as part of a Pacific tour of allies.
“Different countries, the same belief in democracy; different time zones, the same air of freedom,” he wrote.
Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo reaffirmed ties with Taiwan after he was elected in February, and travelled to Taipei to meet Mr Lai for Taiwan's national day celebrations in October.
With a population of 11,000 scattered across nine low-lying atolls, and predictions half of its main town will be submerged by rising tides by 2050, Tuvalu is reliant on donor partners, including Taiwan, to fortify its coast.
It will be connected to international telecommunications by a subsea cable for the first time in a joint project backed by Taiwan, Australia, the United States and Japan.
Tuvalu’s national election was closely watched by China, amid a tussle for influence in the Pacific region, and after a leadership candidate said Taiwan ties would be reviewed.
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory and opposes any foreign interactions or visits by the island's leaders, has been stepping up military pressure against Taiwan, including two rounds of war games in 2024.
Mr Lai will stop over in Guam for one night and then go to Palau. REUTERS
