Kiribati Parliament to Vote on Constitutional Ban on Taiwan Diplomatic Ties

Kiribati’s parliament is preparing to vote on a constitutional amendment that would require the nation to keep diplomatic relations only with United Nations member states or permanent observers, a clause crafted to prevent any future recognition of Taiwan. The bill, championed by a government MP and supported by President Taneti Maamau, does not explicitly name China or Taiwan but frames the restriction as aligning with the country’s traditional culture and avoiding embarrassment.

Experts interpret the move as an effort to cement Kiribati’s current pro-Beijing orientation after the 2019 switch from Taipei to Beijing, making it harder for successors to reverse the policy. The amendment previously missed the two-thirds majority in an April vote, although Maamau’s party holds a clear parliamentary majority. If enacted, the change could also affect ties with non-UN Pacific territories, though the text exempts non-self-governing territories and free-association states. Scholars caution that using UN membership as the sole criterion may restrict Kiribati’s ability to engage with Taiwan’s economic activities.