China warns Pacific Islands Forum over Taiwan attendance

China has warned the Pacific Islands Forum over Taiwan's planned attendance at the regional bloc's leaders meeting in Palau from August 30 to September 4.

Beijing's foreign ministry said Tuesday that forum secretary-general Baron Waqa should “strictly adhere to the one-China principle” and properly handle Taiwan-related issues. It said he should avoid affecting ties between China and the forum.

Waqa told reporters last Friday that Taiwan would attend this year's meeting. He said Taiwan was an important development partner, though not a dialogue partner, and engaged with members of the forum.

Taiwan was barred from last year's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting after protests from Beijing. Solomon Islands, which hosted last year's meeting, blocked Taiwan from attending, and all external countries were later disinvited.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes the self-governed island's participation in international organisations and exchanges with other countries.

Palau, the host of this year's event, is among Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic partners. Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, which are also forum members, also have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Nauru, Kiribati and Solomon Islands have cut diplomatic ties with Taipei since 2019.