The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday called on the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to allow for Taiwan's participation this year, following reports that Taiwan would be blocked from this year's event along with China and the US.
In response to a request for comment, the ministry called on the forum to "maintain its existing arrangements" and allow Taiwan's participation in the upcoming PIF event, an important political gathering for leaders of Pacific island states, as a "development partner."
Photo: AFP
The ministry was unclear when asked in more detail about the situation.
Taiwan in the past has attended the PIF informally to participate in side events held in conjunction with the forum, but it has not taken part in the main leaders' meetings.
Asked whether Taiwan's delegation would be allowed to go the Solomon Islands, where the PIF Leaders Meeting and Associated Meetings are to be held from Sept. 8 to 12, the ministry declined to comment.
According to a Reuters report, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele told the country's parliament earlier this week that the PIF would not invite donor countries, such as the US and China.
Only the bloc's 18 members, including Australia and New Zealand, are to take part in the meeting, Manele said.
While Manele cited an ongoing review of each country's relationship with the Pacific as the main reason, opposition party politician Peter Kenilorea Jr suggested the issue was "all about China and Taiwan."
There have been reports since last year that the Solomon Islands, which switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019 and is the host country of this year's PIF summit, would seek to exclude Taiwan from participation due to China's pressure.
China has poached several of Taiwan's allies in the Pacific as it seeks to expand its presence in the region and isolate Taiwan from the international community.
Of the 18 members in the PIF, only three — the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu — have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Taiwan has taken part in PIF mechanisms since 1993 as a partner country and has also made several donations to the bloc.
The ministry said it continues to seek cooperation with the PIF and its Pacific allies to contribute to the development and prosperity of the region.
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