Australia has voiced support for Taiwan despite the Solomon Islands’ plan to undermine Taiwan’s status as an observer at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
The forum is one of the most important international organizations in the Pacific region, made up of 18 member states, including Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan’s Pacific allies, associate members and observers, along with “dialogue partners” such as the US, Japan, Canada and the EU.
The 53rd edition of the forum opened in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, yesterday.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan has been taking part in the forum and related events as a “developmental partner” under the name Taiwan / Republic of China since 1993. The status was first established in a communique published in 1992 and later recognized in communiques published in 1999 and 2000.
However, the Australian yesterday reported that the Solomon Islands at the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Aug. 9 in Suva, Fiji, said that it would table a motion this week to challenge Taiwan’s participation at the forum.
It cited a source familiar with the foreign affairs of Pacific island nations as saying on condition of anonymity that the Solomon Islands, acting under explicit instructions from Beijing, is aiming to prevent Taiwan from attending the forum to be held in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, next year.
China is lobbying all the member states to support the motion, but it could be deemed to threaten the solidarity of Pacific island nations and might not be approved, the source was quoted as saying.
In response to queries about the challenge facing Taiwan as a forum observer, a spokesperson at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that the Australian government values continued cooperation with all development partners in the Pacific region, including Taiwan.
Taiwan is a crucial development partner for Pacific nations, especially for Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Palau, the spokesperson said.
Australia supports current arrangements facilitating exchanges between member states and Taiwan at annual forums, which have been established and implemented since 1992, they said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said that Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) has led a delegation to attend the 29th “Dialogue between Taiwan / Republic of China and PIF Nations” in Tonga — which is to be held as part of the annual forum — with the goal of buttressing the cooperative partnership between Taiwan, its Pacific allies and other like-minded nations, as well as broadening Taiwan’s participation in the international community.
The ministry also “deplored that some countries attempt to break the solidarity among Pacific nations for selfish reasons” and expressed appreciation to Pacific allies and other like-minded nations for supporting Taiwan’s continued participation in the forum.
Additional reporting by Huang Ching-hsuan
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