Taneti Maamau

Taneti Maamau was elected President of Kiribati in March 2016, defeating incumbent Anote Tong. His election marked a shift in foreign policy, as he pursued closer ties with China. He became the country's head of state and government.

President Maamau announced Kiribati's severance of diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishment of ties with the People's Republic of China in September 2019. This decision aligned Kiribati with China's One-China policy and secured Chinese infrastructure investment.

Taneti Maamau was re-elected as President of Kiribati in June 2020, securing a second term. The election was held amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His re-election confirmed continued support for his administration's policies, including the pivot toward China.

President Maamau suspended Kiribati's Parliament and the country's independent judiciary in 2022, citing constitutional powers. The move was criticized by opposition figures and international observers as a consolidation of executive power and a threat to democratic institutions.