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Tuvalu

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Tuvalu. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

United Nations

Plastic pollution talks in disarray as nations reject draft treaty

Some countries blasted the lack of legally binding action, while oil-producing states say the text goes too far.

14 Aug 2025 - 5:17AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

My Take | Taiwan donation vow to Israeli settlement is cynical and foolish

23 Jul 2025 - 9:00PM

Pacific nations

Tiny Pacific nations fear US travel bans. Why?

2 Jul 2025 - 4:38PMvideocam

Pacific nations

The future of climate migration? Tuvalu’s people seek a new home in Australia

About 3,125 Tuvaluans have entered the ballot for a climate visa to live in Australia, but analysts warn of brain drain.

27 Jun 2025 - 4:28PM

The serpentine coastline of Funafuti Atoll of Tuvalu. Scientists have warned Tuvalu is likely to have only 80 years before it becomes uninhabitable. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | New Zealand need not fear China’s growing ties with Pacific nations

Rather than falling victim to zero-sum illusions, the West must embrace the multiplex nature of Pacific diplomacy.

25 Feb 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Taiwan

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground

Mainland Chinese academics are countering the hypothesis that the island was the ancestral homeland of the Austronesian peoples.

12 Feb 2025 - 7:08PMvideocam

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Tuvalu, where athletes train on airport runway, send one-man team to Paris Games

Karalo Maibuca will jet across the world to race for Tuvalu in the men’s 100 metres at next month’s Games, having been his country’s flag-bearer in Tokyo three years ago.

4 Jul 2024 - 4:44PM

Karalo Maibuca will be the sole member of the Tuvalu sprint team at the Olympic Games in Paris. Photo: Getty Images

Australia

Australia boosts aid to Taiwan-ally Tuvalu to counter mainland China’s influence

China’s ambitions for a greater security presence in the Pacific became an election issue in Tuvalu in January.

8 May 2024 - 8:00PMvideocam

Taiwan

Taiwan thanks Tuvalu’s new government for retaining diplomatic ties

The small South Pacific state says it will uphold its relationship with Taipei and look at options to make it more durable.

29 Feb 2024 - 6:03PMvideocam

Pacific nations

Tuvalu’s Taiwan ties in the balance as Pacific nation gets new PM

The issue of diplomatic recognition is up for debate in the island nation, one of only three remaining Pacific allies of Taiwan. The new prime minister’s position on the subject has not been made public.

26 Feb 2024 - 3:31PMvideocam

Funafuti, capital island of Tuvalu, is seen from a plane. The Pacific nation is one of just 12 states that still formally recognise Taiwan. Photo: AP

Pacific nations

Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan PM loses seat in poll keenly watched by Beijing, US

Prime minister Natano’s electoral loss came amid reports his country may switch diplomatic recognition to China.

27 Jan 2024 - 1:35PM

People wait outside a polling station in Funafuti, Tuvalu, on January 25. Photo: AFP

Australia

Australia says it won’t interfere if Taiwan ally Tuvalu shifts ties to Beijing

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it’s ‘a sovereign decision’ for Tuvalu amid reports the Pacific island nation could follow Nauru’s lead in shifting its alliance to China.

23 Jan 2024 - 11:49AMvideocam

Pacific nations

Australia-Tuvalu treaty sparks fears of population drain, threat to sovereignty

Australia’s agreement with Tuvalu may provide younger locals with a migration pathway but is seen by older islanders as an encroachment of sovereignty.

2 Dec 2023 - 5:31PM

Australia

Tuvalu gets climate win in new Australia pact, but it comes with a ‘trade-off’

Security and defence conditions in the two countries’ upgraded partnership mean Tuvalu may have to ‘surrender some sovereignty’ as Australia keeps an eye on China’s activities in the region.

13 Nov 2023 - 7:00PM

A person rides past a puddle of water in Funafuti, Tuvalu. Photo: AAP via Reuters

Australia

Landmark climate refuge deal allows Tuvaluans to live and work in Australia

The treaty would also commit Australia to defend the Pacific island in the case of foreign invasion or natural disaster.

10 Nov 2023 - 2:56PMvideocam

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and Tuvalu leader Kausea Natano shake hands after attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Aitutaki, Cook Islands, on Thursday. Photo: AAP Image via AP

Pacific nations

Tuvalu minister exits UN conference after China blocks Taiwanese delegates

Foreign Minister Simon Kofe reportedly withdrew from the event after China objected to the presence of Taiwanese delegates.

27 Jun 2022 - 8:20PM

Profile

Profile | Ship captain who rescued a crashed Boeing 747 from Hong Kong’s harbour

Master mariner and salvage expert Alan Loynd recalls recovering the China Airlines plane in 1993, towing a container ship backwards in the Taiwan Strait and greeting Queen Elizabeth in Tuvalu.

2 Feb 2022 - 1:15PM

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Tuvalu

Plastic pollution talks in disarray as nations reject draft treaty

Some countries blasted the lack of legally binding action, while oil-producing states say the text goes too far.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | Taiwan donation vow to Israeli settlement is cynical and foolish

Tiny Pacific nations fear US travel bans. Why?

The future of climate migration? Tuvalu’s people seek a new home in Australia

About 3,125 Tuvaluans have entered the ballot for a climate visa to live in Australia, but analysts warn of brain drain.

Opinion | New Zealand need not fear China’s growing ties with Pacific nations

Rather than falling victim to zero-sum illusions, the West must embrace the multiplex nature of Pacific diplomacy.

Why the ‘Out of Taiwan’ language theory is a cross-strait battleground

Mainland Chinese academics are countering the hypothesis that the island was the ancestral homeland of the Austronesian peoples.

Tuvalu, where athletes train on airport runway, send one-man team to Paris Games

Karalo Maibuca will jet across the world to race for Tuvalu in the men’s 100 metres at next month’s Games, having been his country’s flag-bearer in Tokyo three years ago.

Australia boosts aid to Taiwan-ally Tuvalu to counter mainland China’s influence

China’s ambitions for a greater security presence in the Pacific became an election issue in Tuvalu in January.

Taiwan thanks Tuvalu’s new government for retaining diplomatic ties

The small South Pacific state says it will uphold its relationship with Taipei and look at options to make it more durable.

Tuvalu’s Taiwan ties in the balance as Pacific nation gets new PM

The issue of diplomatic recognition is up for debate in the island nation, one of only three remaining Pacific allies of Taiwan. The new prime minister’s position on the subject has not been made public.

Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan PM loses seat in poll keenly watched by Beijing, US

Prime minister Natano’s electoral loss came amid reports his country may switch diplomatic recognition to China.

Australia says it won’t interfere if Taiwan ally Tuvalu shifts ties to Beijing

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said it’s ‘a sovereign decision’ for Tuvalu amid reports the Pacific island nation could follow Nauru’s lead in shifting its alliance to China.

Australia-Tuvalu treaty sparks fears of population drain, threat to sovereignty

Australia’s agreement with Tuvalu may provide younger locals with a migration pathway but is seen by older islanders as an encroachment of sovereignty.

Tuvalu gets climate win in new Australia pact, but it comes with a ‘trade-off’

Security and defence conditions in the two countries’ upgraded partnership mean Tuvalu may have to ‘surrender some sovereignty’ as Australia keeps an eye on China’s activities in the region.

Landmark climate refuge deal allows Tuvaluans to live and work in Australia

The treaty would also commit Australia to defend the Pacific island in the case of foreign invasion or natural disaster.

Tuvalu minister exits UN conference after China blocks Taiwanese delegates

Foreign Minister Simon Kofe reportedly withdrew from the event after China objected to the presence of Taiwanese delegates.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Profile | Ship captain who rescued a crashed Boeing 747 from Hong Kong’s harbour

Master mariner and salvage expert Alan Loynd recalls recovering the China Airlines plane in 1993, towing a container ship backwards in the Taiwan Strait and greeting Queen Elizabeth in Tuvalu.

My Take | Taiwan donation vow to Israeli settlement is cynical and foolish

Profile | Ship captain who rescued a crashed Boeing 747 from Hong Kong’s harbour