• Feleti Teo, Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, signed the Kaitasi treaty with Taiwan in November 2025.
• Tuvalu is one of three island countries in the Pacific that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of China.
• Despite its One China policy, China has done little to dissuade Tuvalu’s alliance with Taiwan.

Why is Feleti Teo BLAZING?

Answer: Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, Feleti Teo, signed the Kaitasi Treaty with Taiwan, further strengthening their diplomatic relations in a region dominated by Chinese allies.

Tuvalu comprises nine small low lying islands in the South Pacific, led by their Prime Minister Feleti Teo. The country is often associated with climate change as it is vulnerable to sinking as sea levels rise; however, it is its recent treaty with Taiwan which brought attention back to the tiny pacific state.

Tuvalu is one of 12 countries which recognise Taiwan (Republic of China), instead of People’s Republic of China (China from now on). This stance is in direct opposition to the One China principle, which sees Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and not its own state.

In July 2025, Teo announced the Kaitasi Treaty, and by November, it was signed. Kaitasi, meaning shared responsibility and unity, is a pillar of Tuvaluan foreign policy. As described by Teo, the treaty will “introduce legal obligations as an extension of the existing Tuvalu-Taiwan relationship.” The new treaty confirms Taiwan’s recognition of perpetual statehood and maritime boundaries of Tuvalu regardless of the impacts of climate change on the islands’ territory.  The extensive agreement also focuses on the fishing industry, food security, health and education.

What is changing Teo’s heat level?

Answer: Teo smoothly passed the Kaitasi treaty after becoming Prime Minister unopposed in 2024.

Teo has been heating up since 2024 and his success has culminated in the signing of this treaty. After becoming Prime Minister in 2024, Teo strengthened Tuvalu’s relations with Taiwan despite the pressure from China and the dwindling number of Taiwan allies in the region.

In 2019, Tuvalu declined a Chinese offer for a US$400 million project to assist with the impacts of climate change. During the 2025 Pacific Island Forum (PIF), Teo proved his commitment to Taiwan by threatening to pull out of the PIF when the Solomon Islands, the host country, announced Taiwan’s exclusion due to pressure from China.

China’s interest and influence in the Pacific is not new; recent alliance conversions from Taiwan to China have cemented its position in the region as an economic partner. Since 2019, Taiwan has lost three of its most populous and prestigious Pacific island allies — Kiribati, Solomon Islands and  Nauru — leaving  Palau, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. While China is not pleased with the Kaitasi treaty, it has not taken action to dissuade Tuvalu’s alliance. This is possibly because China is more focused on the Marshall Islands and Palau — considered of strategic importance to China.

China’s economic might dwarfs Taiwan’s, making it an attractive development partner to Pacific Island Countries (PIC). At the time of the Tuvaluan elections in 2024, the then Finance Minister, Seve Paeniu, called for the new government to consider whether Taiwan or China could best meet Tuvalu’s development needs. This is significant considering Tuvalu is the country most reliant on international aid.  It is partially because of their ability to provide large amounts of aid that China believes the One China policy is inevitable.

However, Teo holds steadfast in the alliance to Taiwan citing democratic and cultural values. The support from the United States, via the Taiwan Policy Act which alleviates the consequences of economic coercion by China on entities that support Taiwan, makes it easier for Teo to continue forging this alliance — leaving him blazing hot off the heels of this deal. 

What is driving Teo?

Answer: Teo has clear policy priorities for Tuvalu, which were published soon after the election, including building stronger ties with Taiwan. 

In 2024 the new Tuvaluan government, led by Teo, announced 21 priorities for the country — Taiwan being the first foreign policy priority.. The new treaty achieves this and other goals for the country and for Teo.

Achieving international recognition of Tuvalu’s permanent sovereignty is a major objective for the nation yet, so far only Taiwan and 11 countries recognise this. Permanent sovereignty refers to the connection between physical land and rights as a state — no territory means no state; however, Tuvalu wants its statehood recognised regardless of sea-level changes which may destroy their territory. With the Kaitasi treaty Taiwan’s position is solidified and Tuvalu is one step closer to tackling the unprecedented climate-related challenges it faces.

Moreover, before becoming Prime Minister, Teo worked in the fishing industry for over a decade. In an interview Teo expressed his desire to use his knowledge and experience to make an impact domestically. Indeed, the fishing industry — the main source of revenue for the Tuvaluan government and particularly vulnerable to the effects of  climate change — is a specific area of focus for the new treaty. 

Even with the resource rich Exclusive Economic Zone, Tuvalu does not have the infrastructure to produce or export its products on a large scale. As of now it is unclear as to what the treaty entails exactly or if it will take advantage of the untapped natural resources Tuvalu has to offer.

What does this mean for you?

Answer: Tuvalu’s enforced commitment to Taiwan threatens the unity of the PIF as China continues to promote its One China Policy.

Tuvalu and Taiwan have a shared aim to gain international recognition of their sovereignty — albeit in distinct ways for different reasons. Ultimately, the treaty ensures Taiwan’s recognition of Tuvalu’s permanent sovereignty even if the country loses its territory. At the same time, Teo’s affirmation of Tuvalu’s pro-Taiwan position goes against China’s goals, increases geopolitical tensions and threatens the PIF’s unity. These points of friction will be especially pertinent this year as Palau, one of Taiwan’s three PIC allies, is due to host PIF.