Australia boosts funds to Taiwan-ally Tuvalu to counter mainland China’s Pacific influence
- The funds include building the first undersea cable connecting residents to global telecommunications services, and fortifying Tuvalu’s coastline from rising seas
- China’s ambitions for a greater security presence in the Pacific became an election issue in Tuvalu in January
Australia will quadruple its financial help to Tuvalu, a Pacific Island nation at risk from rising seas, to cement a landmark climate migration and security deal as China also courts small island states.
On a visit to Tuvalu, foreign minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday evening Australia has committed A$110 million (US$72.27 million) in its national budget to Tuvalu.
The sum includes A$50 million (US$32.85 million) to build the first undersea cable connecting the island’s residents to global telecommunications services, and A$19 million for a land reclamation project to fortify Tuvalu’s coastline from rising seas.
Another A$15 million will be spent on a national security coordination centre, as well as A$10 million in direct budget support.
The funding is a significant boost over the A$17 million (US$11.17 million) Australia provided to Tuvalu in 2023-24.