People in Kiribati participated in the first round of voting in a national election, with a second round scheduled for August 19 for parliamentary seats not won by a majority. The election is seen as a referendum on increasing living expenses and the government's alignment with China.
Kiribati, a nation of low-lying atolls with a population of 120,000, faces significant threats from rising sea levels. Despite its strategic location and vast ocean expanse, the country lacks the resource wealth of other Pacific islands. The government's shift from pro-Taiwan to pro-Beijing in 2019, along with its aid dependency and high risk of external debt distress, has raised concerns about foreign influence.
