Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Taiwan rejects China pressure at Pacific summit
Taiwan said its presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau prevents China from having “full control” in the region, pushing back against Beijing's objections to Taiwan's role at the summit.
The 18-member forum is being hosted by Palau, which invited diplomatic ally Taiwan to attend sideline events as an aid partner, along with China and other non-Pacific countries. Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory.
China's Pacific envoy Qian Bo told reporters on Monday that there would be “consequences” after Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung joined the opening ceremony. Qian said Beijing had made its position clear to Palau's government and the forum secretariat, adding: “This should not have happened.”
Lin responded Tuesday that Taiwan had taken part in the summit for several decades, including the opening ceremony. He said Taiwan was a significant donor in the Pacific even as its diplomatic allies had fallen to three of the forum's 18 members.
“We should not make compromises just because of China bullying,” Lin told reporters. He said China's security presence in the Pacific Islands had grown since Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru switched ties from Taiwan to Beijing.
“Wherever there is Taiwan's presence, China will have a difficult time having full control over the area,” Lin said.
A Pacific source at the meeting told AFP on condition of anonymity that Chinese officials had warned Pacific leaders and ministers not to attend side events in Palau where Taiwan is participating.
Asked about Lin's presence, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Taiwan “is not qualified to participate in the forum's activities in any capacity”. He accused Taiwan authorities of sending what he called “independence separatists” to seek attention.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the gathering was “primarily a gathering of Pacific family” and that the forum decides what happens there. He also rejected China's warning to travellers that Palau was unsafe.
The summit is seeking joint action on drug crime and climate change. China's July ballistic missile test, which landed in the Pacific Ocean near Taiwan ally Tuvalu, is also among the topics being discussed.
Update
Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan's presence in the Pacific stops China from having full control in the region.
Lin said Taiwan has participated in the summit for several decades, including the opening ceremony, and remains a significant donor despite having diplomatic ties with only three forum members.
Lin said China's security presence in the Pacific Islands had grown since Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru switched ties from Taiwan to Beijing.
Lin linked Chinese influence to the forum's inability to agree on a joint statement condemning a Chinese missile test last month.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 09:35:19 UTC.
Update
China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Taiwan was not qualified to participate in the forum's activities in any capacity.
Guo accused Taiwan authorities of sending Lin Chia-lung on what he called sneaky visits to seek attention.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 07:02:37 UTC.
Update
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale left the summit on Monday to deal with a political crisis at home.
Wale is expected to face a no-confidence motion in parliament next week after a split in the governing coalition.
Closer security ties among Pacific islands will be discussed at the summit.
Anthony Albanese said Australia's upgrading of security ties in the Pacific had been extraordinary, citing defence alliances with Papua New Guinea and Fiji and a security and economic deal with Vanuatu.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 04:20:31 UTC.
Update
Australia said the Pacific Islands Forum would decide for itself who attends the summit.
China's Pacific envoy Qian Bo warned of “consequences” over Taiwan foreign minister Lin Chia-lung's presence in Palau.
A Pacific source said Chinese officials warned Pacific leaders and ministers not to attend side events involving Taiwan.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected China's warning that Palau was unsafe for travellers.
Albanese said China's July ballistic missile test that landed in the Pacific Ocean near Tuvalu was not acceptable.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 02:53:56 UTC.
Update
The Pacific Islands Forum summit opened in Palau on Monday.
Palau President Surangel Whipps told outside partners they were welcome but “do not choose our destination”.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela said strategic competition had sharpened around the region and spoke in place of Prime Minister Matthew Wale.
Matthew Wale returned home a day earlier to deal with a push to unseat his government.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Pacific countries make their own decisions about who leads their delegations.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 15:18:46 UTC.
Update
Around 110 police from various Pacific islands will provide security at the forum.
The policing operation is described as the first large-scale demonstration of Pacific-wide cooperation on policing.
Lowy Institute analyst Oliver Nobetau said the absence of several leaders may weaken any joint Pacific statement on China's missile test.
Australia has led efforts for the Pacific to provide its own security, arguing there is no need for China to have police in Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 03:46:21 UTC.
Update
Officials now say at least five leaders will skip the summit, up from at least four in the published story.
Samoa said its delegation would be led by the deputy prime minister.
Fiji said its delegation would be led by the foreign minister, though it was not known whether the prime minister might join later.
Solomon Islands' prime minister flew out of Palau on Sunday to deal with a political crisis after a no-confidence motion was lodged.
The summit agenda includes discussion of a Chinese ballistic missile test-firing that landed in the Pacific Ocean in July.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 02:02:41 UTC.
Update
A meeting official said the prime minister of Vanuatu will not attend the Pacific Islands Forum summit.
The same official said the head of New Caledonia's government will not attend.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 01:13:50 UTC.
Update
A meeting official said at least four leaders will skip the annual Pacific Islands Forum summit.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 00:48:59 UTC.
Update
Pacific island leaders are due to meet in Palau from Monday for the Pacific Islands Forum.
Transnational drug crime is expected to be a major topic at the summit.
Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Chia-lung attended a ceremony in Palau with President Surangel Whipps for electric buses donated by Taipei.
Beijing protested Taiwan's invitation to the forum.
Whipps said China declared Palau an unsafe place for travellers after Lin arrived.
The US Embassy accused China of trying to weaponize tourism to coerce Palau.
About 110 police from various Pacific islands will provide security at the forum.
Leaders are expected to discuss a regional maritime response to rising drug crime.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 August 2026 at 05:11:33 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The precise consequences China may take over Taiwan's presence at the summit were not specified.
The Pacific source who described Chinese warnings to leaders and ministers was not named.
Source
AFP news report published on .