1 Oct 2019

US call for Tuvalu and Taiwan to co-operate more closely

12:24 pm on 1 October 2019

The US Secretary of State has pushed for Tuvalu and Taiwan to cooperate more closely, as his country looks to shore up Taiwan's support in the region.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 25, 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attends a signing ceremony where US President Donald Trump signs a Proclamation on the Golan Heights in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, DC.

Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP

Mike Pompeo mentioned the cooperation between the two in a statement marking Tuvalu's anniversary of independence.

Tuvalu is one of only four countries in the Pacific which continue to back Taiwan after Solomon Islands and Kiribati last month switched recognition to China.

The Taiwan-based Taipei Times reports that Mr Pompeo is encouraging the two to push for greater democracy in the region.

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