The Marshall Islands is made up of 1,200 islands scattered across a swathe of ocean the size of Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock
Explained: Why Taiwan, US and China are watching Marshall Islands vote count
- The election raises the possibility the island nation – one of Taiwan’s four remaining Pacific allies – will pick a pro-Beijing leader
- A new administration could also jeopardise the island nation’s relationship with the US, which relies on it as a strategic defence outpost
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Pacific nations
The Marshall Islands is made up of 1,200 islands scattered across a swathe of ocean the size of Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock
Ahead of Bougainville’s landmark independence vote, women dance at a November 6 reconciliation ceremony that brought together former enemies in a decade-long civil war. Photo: AFP
Why the US, China and Australia are watching as Bougainville votes
- Once torn apart by civil war, the autonomous region in Papua New Guinea kicks off a two-week independence referendum this weekend
- The vote takes place amid other bids for self-government in the region and geopolitical rivalry between the US and China
Topic |
Pacific nations
Ahead of Bougainville’s landmark independence vote, women dance at a November 6 reconciliation ceremony that brought together former enemies in a decade-long civil war. Photo: AFP