Pacific Islands Forum Alters Taiwan References Amid China Tensions

The Pacific Islands Forum changed a communique to remove references to Taiwan after Chinese complaints. Taiwan condemned this as a 'rude intervention,' but a forum official stated that it did not alter leaders' decisions. Taiwan maintains its status at the forum, amid shifting regional alliances.

The Pacific Islands Forum revised its communique to omit references to Taiwan following complaints from China. Taipei has struck back, calling the move a 'rude intervention,' but forum officials insist the change does not affect any leader decisions.

Initially, the forum's 18-nation summit communique reaffirmed decisions on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China. However, after a protest from a Chinese envoy, a new version was issued excluding Taiwanese mentions. According to China, Taiwan is a province with no right to state-to-state relations, a stance Taiwan disputes.

Among the forum members, three have ties with Taiwan and 15 recognize China, a major lender to Pacific Islands countries. Taiwan's foreign ministry condemned China's actions, urging like-minded nations to take note. Despite the altered document, Taiwan's forum status remains unchanged, according to officials.

Taiwan, a partner since 1993, sent Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang to meet its Pacific allies. Chinese officials had lobbied for Taiwan's exclusion from the forum's events, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions. The region has seen a shift in alliances, with some countries switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in recent years.

(With inputs from agencies.)