The government of Tuvalu publicly reiterated its support for Taiwan on Tuesday after recent reports regarding a potential shift in the country’s diplomatic relations following its upcoming general election on Friday.
The Foreign Ministry contacted officials in Tuvalu on Tuesday regarding reporting in the news outlet The Australian. The reporting contained statements from Tuvalu's Ambassador to Taiwan, Bikenibeu Paeniu, suggesting that Tuvalu might follow Nauru's lead and shift its diplomatic recognition towards the People's Republic of China (PRC). Nauru severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan on January 15 in favor of the PRC.
Department of East Asia and Pacific Affairs Deputy Director-General Chen Chuin-chi (陳俊吉) says the Tuvalu government clarified that comments made by Paeniu did not reflect the position of the Tuvalu government. He added that the Tuvalu government reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Taiwan-Tuvalu relationship.
The Foreign Ministry says it has been paying close attention to the PRC’s attempts to undermine Taiwan’s diplomatic relations with Pacific countries and continues to pay attention to the Tuvalu election.
Meanwhile, another Pacific island ally of Taiwan, the Marshall Islands, saw the swearing-in of new President Hilda Heine on Monday. According to the Foreign Ministry, President Heine said during her inaugural address that her administration will continue to support the longstanding relationship with Taiwan.