In a significant diplomatic move, Taiwan will attend the annual Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Palau this month. This decision comes after China's objections led to Taiwan's exclusion from last year's event in Solomon Islands. The forum's secretary-general, Baron Waqa, emphasized Taiwan's role as a development partner, although not a dialogue partner, within the forum.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes its participation in international gatherings. However, Taiwan maintains diplomatic ties with Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands. The Solomon Islands, which hosted last year's meeting, had blocked Taiwan's attendance, resulting in the disinvitation of all external countries.
The new Solomon Islands government, which took office in May, has re-established ties with the United States, Japan, and Australia, leading to an open invitation for Taiwan this year. The forum also discussed a joint statement condemning China's recent intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific, though disagreements among member states have delayed its release.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticized unnamed states for appeasing 'outsiders' after the forum failed to agree on the statement. The debate centered on whether the statement should focus solely on China's missile test or include all missile testing in the Pacific. Notably, the United States conducts ballistic missile tests in the northern Pacific under a defence agreement with the Marshall Islands.
In addition to the missile test discussions, the forum agreed to increase efforts to invite world leaders to a special UN climate change event in Tuvalu in October. The Pacific Islands region faces significant risks from rising sea levels, with Tuvalu particularly vulnerable.
