Pro-China Kiribati president loses majority over switch from Taiwan

Party that switched recognition from Taiwan to China last year lost majority in elections this week over handling of the move

China's diplomatic ambitions in the Pacific suffered a setback on Wednesday when the party that switched recognition from Taiwan to China last year lost its majority in parliament over its handling of the move.

In the second round of parliamentary elections, the governing party and allies won 22 seats out of 45, dealing a blow to President Taneti Maamau, who previously enjoyed a comfortable majority of 31.