### Taiwan’s Inclusion at Pacific Island Forum Sparks Controversy
The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting stirred up controversy by deleting references to Taiwan in the released conference report. The initial report, published on Friday, included a section titled “Relationship with Taiwan/Republic of China,” where leaders reiterated Taiwan’s participation in the PIF under the name “Taiwan/Republic of China” established in 1992. However, these statements immediately drew strong objections from China, pressuring Pacific leaders to amend the document.
Under China’s vehement protests, the report was removed from the website on Friday night. A new document was released on Saturday morning, omitting any mention of Taiwan without providing an explanation. The PIF Secretariat did not respond to Reuters’ request for comments, and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs refrained from making immediate statements.
### China’s Displeasure and Influence
The PIF, consisting of 18 countries, includes three members with diplomatic relations with Taiwan, while the remaining 15 members recognize China. China, a significant infrastructure lender to Pacific Islands, is actively working to expand its security presence in the region. Taiwan has participated in the forum under the title of “Development Partner” since 1993, engaging in relevant mechanisms and activities. This year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched Deputy Minister Tsuneyuki Hikaru to Tonga to meet with representatives from Pacific allies Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands.
Reports from ABC Australia and Nikkei News revealed that Chinese government special envoy for Pacific Island Affairs, Qian Bo, expressed anger on Friday. In Tonga, he told reporters that any mention of Taiwan in the report was “definitely a mistake.” Qian stated, “This must be a surprising mistake made by someone. I’m not sure, but I believe it must be corrected.” Earlier, Qian indicated that he had contacted the forum secretariat during the week to clarify the situation. He emphasized, “This should not be the final report, and the text must be corrected.”
### China’s Ongoing Efforts and Impact
China’s continuous efforts to isolate Taiwan from international forums have been evident. The Solomon Islands, a major partner in the South Pacific, has been lobbying to strip Taiwan of its “Development Partner” status at the PIF. A spokesperson from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Agence France-Presse on Saturday that consensus was not reached on the relevant section of the report. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of respecting different viewpoints and consensus among the 18 PIF members.
The PIF Secretariat did not respond to requests for comments on the matter. China has systematically weakened support for Taiwan in the South Pacific, persuading Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan and establish relations with China over the past five years. Currently, Taiwan only maintains diplomatic relations with the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Tuvalu in Oceania.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, the removal of Taiwan-related content from the PIF conference report highlights the intricate diplomatic challenges faced by Taiwan in international forums. The influence of China in pressuring Pacific Island nations to adhere to its One-China policy underscores the ongoing struggle for Taiwan to maintain its presence and recognition on the global stage. As tensions persist, the delicate balance of power and alliances in the Pacific region continues to evolve, shaping the dynamics of international relations in the Asia-Pacific.
