Tuvalu promises to ‘stand firm’ with Taiwan amid Pacific rivalry

The tiny nation is one of four in the Pacific that still maintain formal ties with Taiwan, as China woos support in the region.

The leader of the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has promised to “stand firm” on its ties with Taiwan, as China expands its influence in the region.

Tuvalu, with a population of about 10,000 people, is one of 14 countries to retain full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that Beijing claims as its own, and one of four in the Pacific where…