Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo reaffirmed Tuvalu’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan at a state visit to Taipei on November 18. Both countries signed the Kaitasi Treaty, a legally binding affirmation of the Tuvalu-Taiwan relationship. Two additional agreements, regarding diversifying fishing cooperation and cultural exchanges, were signed as a show of faith for the Kaitasi Treaty. This contributes to a clearer division in the Pacific islands, as China continues to vie for diplomatic relations with Taiwan’s allies. 

“Tuvalu continues to stand steadfastly in support of Taiwan’s effort to reengage fully in international relations,” stated Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo during his visit to Taipei. Tuvalu first recognized Taiwan as an independent country in 1979, shortly after gaining its independence from Britain in 1978, and has continued to be one of the 12 countries to formally recognize Taiwan. The development of diplomatic relations between the two states demonstrates, according to DevPolicy, that “despite international isolation, Taiwan can still secure meaningful and strategic partnerships with sovereign nations.” For Tuvalu, this agreement forms a larger part of its diplomatic efforts to “secure formal international recognition of its perpetual statehood,” according to Firstpost. Ultimately, the Kaitasi Treaty gives each state greater legitimacy on the global stage, while also demonstrating their commitment to the “principle of democracy and the rule of law,” according to Prime Minister Teo. This is an affront to China’s resource extraction and economic policy approach to diplomacy in the Pacific.

Although this treaty agreement may contribute to increasing tensions between China and Taiwan in the Pacific, it ultimately advances Taiwan’s path to international sovereignty. With both states gaining more international recognition and amplifying their voices in global affairs, they will be able to more completely represent themselves and their interests against those of larger foreign powers.

As China developed economically in the early 2000s, it began to invest more in the Pacific, with the region providing key access to resource extraction, and aiming to disrupt U.S. presence in its near region. In the post-Wolf Warrior diplomacy era, China spread its diplomatic wings through bilateral and multilateral agreements, as well as offering developmental aid and loans. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, China’s actions in the Pacific would do more harm than good: “China’s use of economic promises to shape Pacific security architecture and erode democratic norms poses a direct threat to the national security of all Pacific nations.” In the past few years, three Pacific countries have shifted their diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China: the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and, more recently, Nauru. The signing of the Kaitasi Treaty represents a firm stance against any transition to China for Tuvalu, furthering the division between islands in the diplomatic battle between China and Taiwan in the Pacific. 

As previously mentioned, although tensions may rise as a result of this treaty, it is ultimately important in establishing a path for nations in the Pacific to consolidate strength and utilize their diplomatic capabilities to reinforce their own sovereignty. By maintaining their relationship with Taiwan and legitimizing its statehood, Tuvalu sets an example for other states in the Pacific to follow: by establishing diplomatic ties with one another, they can strengthen their international positions and become less economically dependent on China.