One of the most closely watched presidential elections in Kiribati history ended in a decisive victory for the one-term incumbent, Taneti Maamau - who gote 26,053 votes, comfortably beating his rival Banuera Berina, who got 17,866.
It marked the end of what had been described as a bitter campaign between the two - with allegations of bribery, grand promises and influence.
But why it was followed so closely in Washington, Beijing, Canberra and Wellington, was the main issue that divided the two candidates: Taiwan.
That's because in September, Mr Maamau announced that Kiribati was ditching relations with Taiwan, in favour of China, rocking Taipei and its western backers.
Our reporter Koroi Hawkins has been following the election - and the Taiwan-China tussles in the Pacific.
The president of Kiribati, Tantei Maamau, at the 2019 Pacific Islands Forum summit in Tuvalu. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
