Why is everyone watching the Tuvalu elections? How will it affect China-Pacific relations?

Elections in a small Pacific Island nation rarely make the headlines. However, Tuvalu, heading to the polls to elect members of its 16-seat parliament, is an exception. The reason lies in geopolitics. With intense geopolitical competition and China’s growing influence in the region, this year’s vote on Friday will be watched closely, and the outcome may have far-reaching consequences. A big part of the international attention is linked to the increasing importance of China in the region, and Tuvalu’s diplomatic ties to the government of Taiwan. A proposed security treaty with Australia could also hang in the balance. Here’s what’s at stake: Where is Tuvalu and how many people live there? Tuvalu consists of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. It’s about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Tuvalu’s low-lying atolls make it particularly vulnerable to global warming, and there are worries that rising sea levels and strengthening storms will make it uninhabitable. Prime Minister Kausea Natano is trying to raise the islands five to five metres (13 to 16 feet) above sea level through land reclamation. It has a population of about 11,500, making it one of the smallest nations in the world. A former British colony, it gained independence in 1978. The British monarch is still the country’s head of state. What happens in a Tuvalu election? All candidates in Tuvalu run as independents, with the top two vote-getters in each of the eight island electorates going to parliament. Polls open at 8.30am (2030 GMT) on Friday and close at 4 pm (0400 GMT) on Friday, The Guardian newspaper reported. [caption id=“attachment_13658242” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Election officials work on the day of the general elections, in Funafuti, Tuvalu. Reuters[/caption] When the votes are in, the new parliamentarians split into groups, with the biggest electing the prime minister and forming a new government. Who are the main candidates for prime minister? The current prime minister, Kausea Natano, is running for parliament again, but he would have to go through the selection process again even if he wins his parliament race. Finance Minister Seve Paeniu is also interested in the job after winning his parliament seat by running unopposed. Another potential new leader is the Opposition leader, and former prime minister, Enele Sopoaga. Why the election matters? Only 12 countries, including Tuvalu, have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island that China claims as its own territory. Nauru, also in the Pacific, recently switched its support from Taiwan to China. This puts Tuvalu at the centre of intense jockeying between Taipei and Beijing. Prime Minister Natano favours strong ties with Taiwan, and is likely to continue that support. Sopoaga also favours close ties with Taiwan. Paeniu has said he wants to review Tuvalu’s ties with both Beijing and Taipei, according to The Guardian. Sopoaga has also said he doesn’t support a new treaty between Tuvalu and Australia signed in November. That treaty, which commits Australia to assist Tuvalu in response to major natural disasters, health pandemics and military aggression, has yet to be ratified amid an intense debate. The treaty gives Australia veto power over any security or defence-related agreement Tuvalu wants to make with any other country, including China. With inputs from AP