China’s increasing political influence in the south Pacific has sparked an international response

China’s increasing political influence in the south Pacific has sparked an international response

Taiwan elected Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, to be its next president on January 13. His election marks the continuation of a government that promotes an independent Taiwan. Just two days later, the Pacific nation of Nauru severed ties with Taiwan and transferred its diplomatic allegiance to Beijing. More recently, on January 27, Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan prime minister, Kausea Natano, lost his seat in the nation’s general election. Natan…