Taiwan is carefully watching Kiribati presidential elections next week. Kiribati severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan last year.
Kiribati’s pro-China President Taneti Maamau’s decision was unpopular among the public. Foreign ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said his party lost the majority in the parliament in April and was divided over the decision to switch ties to China.
Ou said that Taiwan would carefully observe the results of the general election and the foreign policy of the new government.
Taiwan made many contributions to Kiribati in terms of infrastructure, education, agriculture, and healthcare. Ou said many people in Kiribati are grateful to Taiwan and that she is proud of the recognition Taiwan has received in Kiribati for its work there.