4 Nov 2019

Taiwan deputy FM to visit Tuvalu for talks

10:41 am on 4 November 2019
The prime minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano.

The prime minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano. Photo: Supplied / Government of Tuvalu

Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Hsu Szu-chien is expected to travel to Tuvalu this week and meet its new Prime Minister Kausea Natano.

This comes amid fears in Taipei that more of Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies in the Pacific might switch ties to China.

In September, Mr Natano succeeded Enele Sopoaga as Tuvalu's prime minister following the national election.

Hsu is scheduled to meet the prime minister and several leading officials including the acting Governor-General Teniku Talesi, Taiwan News reports.

Meanwhile, Mr Natano and Nauru's new president, Lionel Aingimea, are reportedly planning to visit Taiwan next month.

Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands are Taiwan's remaining allies in the region.

Solomon Islands and Kiribati recently switched ties to China following long-standing relationships with Taiwan.

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