Taiwan Regrets China’s Efforts to Exclude It from Pacific Islands Forum
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has expressed regret over reports that China and the Solomon Islands are attempting to exclude Taiwan from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The PIF is an inter-governmental organization that promotes collaboration among Oceania’s countries and territories, aiming to establish a trade bloc and facilitate regional peacekeeping efforts.
According to a report, the Solomon Islands plans to propose a motion at this year’s forum in Tonga to strip Taiwan of its ‘development partner’ status. An anonymous source indicated that the Solomon Islands received directives from Beijing to block Taiwan’s participation in the 2025 PIF summit in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
MOFA noted that Taiwan has contributed to PIF partners through financial aid and scholarship programs since joining the organization over 20 years ago. Taiwan’s participation has always adhered to the principles of ‘diversity and inclusion.’ Taiwan holds ‘development partner status’ in the PIF region and has participated in the group’s annual summit since 1993.
Despite being non-members, China, the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Union also participate in the annual forum and other PIF events as ‘dialogue partners.’ Since abandoning its diplomatic recognition of Taipei in 2019, the Solomon Islands has become a regional ally of China, receiving significant development aid and signing a bilateral security pact in 2022. Currently, three PIF members–Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu–maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
China’s strategy involves expanding its influence in the Pacific by forging bilateral agreements and providing economic assistance to island nations. This approach aims to reduce Taiwan’s international presence and increase China’s geopolitical leverage.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and is not controlled by China.
China -: China is a large country in Asia. It has a lot of power and influence in the world.
Pacific Islands Forum -: The Pacific Islands Forum is a group of countries in the Pacific Ocean. They work together to solve problems and help each other.
Solomon Islands -: The Solomon Islands is a country made up of many small islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is near Australia.
Beijing -: Beijing is the capital city of China. It is where the Chinese government is located.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs -: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a part of the government that deals with other countries. In Taiwan, it helps manage relationships with other nations.
development partner -: A development partner is a country or organization that helps another country grow and improve. They might give money, advice, or other support.
financial aid -: Financial aid is money given to help people or countries. It can be used for things like building schools or hospitals.
scholarships -: Scholarships are money given to students to help pay for their education. They don’t have to pay it back.
international presence -: International presence means being known and active in many countries around the world. It helps a country have more friends and influence.
