"Australia and Pacific Island state Tuvalu on Friday signed a security and climate change treaty designed to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific and address the low-lying island nation's concerns about rising seas induced by climate change.

Halfway between Australia and Hawaii, Tuvalu is spread across nine atolls and just 26 square kms (10 square miles) of land.

Roughly half its 11,200 people live on the capital atoll Funafuti. Stretched around a lagoon, the largest islet is only 650 metres (710 yards) at its widest. During exceptionally high tides, roughly 40% of the main island is inundated with sea water.

By 2050, it is estimated that half the land area of the capital, Funafuti, will be flooded by tidal waters daily."

Lewis Jackson reports for Reuters November 10, 2023. [2]