The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday urged the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to allow Taiwan’s participation this year, following reports that it would be excluded from the event along with China and the US.
MOFA called on the PIF to “maintain its existing arrangements” and continue to admit Taiwan as a “development partner” at the annual gathering, which is a key political forum for Pacific island nations.
Taiwan has previously attended the PIF informally, taking part in side events alongside the forum, but has not joined the main leaders’ meetings.
Photo: AFP
Asked whether Taiwan’s delegation would even be permitted to travel to the Solomon Islands — the host of the PIF Leaders Meeting and Associated Meetings from Sept. 8 to 12 — MOFA declined to comment.
Reuters reported that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele told parliament earlier this week that the PIF would not invite donor countries such as the US and China, with only the bloc’s 18 members, including Australia and New Zealand, taking part.
Manele said the decision was linked to an ongoing review of each country’s relationship with the Pacific.
However, opposition politician Peter Kenilorea Jr said the matter was “all about China and Taiwan.”
Reports since last year have said that Honiara — which switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019 — might seek to exclude Taiwan from participation under pressure from Beijing.
China has poached several of Taiwan’s Pacific allies over the past few years as part of a broader effort to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and expand its regional influence.
Of the PIF’s 18 members, only the Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Taiwan has participated in PIF mechanisms since 1993 as a partner country and has made multiple donations to the bloc.
MOFA said it continues to seek cooperation with the PIF and its Pacific allies and to contribute to the development and prosperity of the region.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
NATIONAL SECURITY: Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the military personnel involved and investigating possible illegal conduct and regulatory violations Authorities are probing possible national security implications after Kinmen police and immigration officers on Sunday found a Chinese woman allegedly posing as a tourist while engaging in prostitution involving more than 10 military personnel. The woman, surnamed Chen (陳), has since been deported, authorities said, adding that investigators are still working to confirm the identities of those implicated, as the records only listed code names and aliases. The case stemmed from a report received by the Kinmen District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday last week from the Jinhu Precinct of the Kinmen County Police Bureau. On Sunday, police, along with the National Immigration
RSS