China expressed serious concerns over Taiwan’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum held in Palau, warning that there will be “consequences”. Qian Bo, China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, said the remarks were not a threat but did not specify the nature of any consequences.
The forum, which aims to showcase regional unity, included Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung as a development partner for meetings and side events, although Taiwan is not a formal dialogue partner like China. Palau, one of only three Pacific nations maintaining diplomatic ties with Taipei, hosted the opening ceremony.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded that the Pacific Islands Forum determines its own agenda and is a gathering of the Pacific family. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters echoed the view, asserting the forum does not take instructions from outside countries.
The episode occurs amid broader competition for influence in the South Pacific. China has reduced the number of Pacific states recognizing Taipei to three, while Australia, New Zealand and the United States have increased security and development assistance to deter a permanent Chinese military presence. In a related development, New Zealand and the United States announced joint funding to upgrade a World War II port in the Cook Islands.
