Tuvalu election: what’s happening, and what could it mean for Taiwan, China and the Pacific?

An aerial view of Funafuti island in Tuvalu. The Pacific island holds an election on Friday that could decide whether it maintains ties with Taiwan or switches to China. PM Kausea Natano faces challenges from finance minister Seve Paeniu and opposition leader Enele Sopoaga. Photograph: Kalolaine Fainu/The Guardian

On Friday, the small Pacific island nation of Tuvalu will head to the polls to elect members of its 16-seat parliament.

With the country’s population sitting at just over 11,000, Tuvalu’s elections rarely spark international headlines. But, against a backdrop of intense geopolitical competition and China’s rising influence in the region, greater scrutiny surrounds this year’s vote – and its outcome may have implications far beyond Tuvalu’s shores.