Taiwan Criticizes China's Push to Exclude it from Pacific Islands Forum

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed regret over efforts by China and the Solomon Islands to exclude Taiwan from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The move involves a motion to strip Taiwan of its 'development partner' status and aims to block Taiwan's participation in future summits.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has expressed regret concerning efforts by China and the Solomon Islands to exclude Taiwan from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as reported by the Central News Agency (CNA). The PIF is a crucial inter-governmental organization promoting collaboration among Oceania's countries and territories, aiming to establish a trade bloc and bolster regional peacekeeping efforts.

The CNA report indicated that a Monday article in the Australian Newspaper alleged the Solomon Islands would introduce a motion at this year's forum in Tonga to revoke Taiwan's 'development partner' status. An unnamed source in the Australian report claimed Beijing had directed the Solomon Islands to obstruct Taiwan's involvement in the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum summit, scheduled in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.

When asked for comments on Tuesday, MOFA underscored Taiwan's contributions to PIF partners, highlighting over two decades of financial aid and scholarship programs. MOFA emphasized Taiwan's commitment to the principles of 'diversity and inclusion' within the PIF. Taiwan, a holder of 'development partner status,' has been participating in the group's annual summit since 1993. Notably, non-member countries such as China, the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Union also participate as 'dialogue partners' in the annual forum and other PIF events.

Following its 2019 shift in diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, the Solomon Islands has emerged as a key regional ally of China. This relationship is cemented by significant development aid and a secretive bilateral security pact signed in 2022. Currently, three PIF members--Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu--maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China's strategy is to expand its influence in the Pacific by forming bilateral agreements and providing economic assistance to island nations, intending to weaken Taiwan's international presence and enhance China's geopolitical leverage, according to The Diplomat.

(With inputs from agencies.)