Pacific Islands demand participation in the Pacific Forum
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) is set to take place in the Solomon Islands from September 8 to 12, but with a notable absence: Taiwan. The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, has linked the decision to exclude Taiwan to an ongoing review of each country's relationship with the Pacific [1].
This move breaks with the longstanding practice of allowing Taiwan to participate as a dialogue partner, and has raised concerns about regional unity and the integrity of the Forum [1][2][3]. Only the bloc's 18 members, including Australia and New Zealand, are expected to take part in this year's event [2].
China's involvement is significant, as it has close ties with the Solomon Islands. There are accusations that China is agitating behind the scenes to see Taiwan excluded from the Forum as an observer, although Solomon Islands officials deny that China is influencing their diplomatic decisions [2][4]. 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 [4].
The Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, and China has been influential in pressuring the Solomon Islands to exclude Taiwan from the PIF [4]. Reuters reported that Manele stated that the PIF would not invite donor countries such as the US and China [3].
Samoa's caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has warned that if Taiwan's participation is blocked, Samoa might find it very difficult to attend the Forum, emphasizing that the practice of dialogue partners participating had been agreed by leaders previously and should not change [1]. Fiji’s Prime Minister also expressed concern, stating that excluding Taiwan threatens regional unity [3].
The United States supports Taiwan's continued attendance and views the exclusion as problematic [5]. Taiwan has previously attended the PIF informally, taking part in side events alongside the forum, but has not joined the main leaders' meetings [6]. Taiwan has participated in PIF mechanisms since 1993 as a partner country and has made multiple donations to the bloc [6].
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has urged the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to allow Taiwan's participation this year, asking the PIF to maintain its existing arrangements and continue to admit Taiwan as a "development partner" at the annual gathering [7]. Opposition politician Peter Kenilorea Jr stated that the matter was "all about China and Taiwan" [7].
Only the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu, out of the PIF's 18 members, have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan [2]. The PIF is a key political forum for Pacific island nations, and its decision to exclude Taiwan, China, and the US may have far-reaching implications for regional cooperation and development [1][2][3][4].
References: 1. RFA 2. SCMP 3. Reuters 4. Nikkei Asia 5. Focus Taiwan 6. Taiwan News 7. Taiwan News
- The ongoing exclusion of Taiwan from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), despite its historical role as a dialogue partner, has sparked concerns about general-news issues such as regional unity and the political implications of diplomatic moves.
- The politics surrounding Taiwan's participation in the PIF are complex, with countries like Samoa suggesting that their attendance may be compromised if Taiwan is not included, while China is seen as exerting influence to prevent Taiwan's attendance.
