Taiwan is returning to this year’s Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau after it was barred from last year’s meeting in Solomon Islands.
The democratically governed island, which China claims as part of its territory, will be represented by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, who is expected to attend Forum-related events in Palau as Taipei seeks to strengthen its relationships with Pacific countries.
Taiwan has been a PIF development partner since 1992 and maintains formal diplomatic relations with Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands.
But Taiwan’s return is already drawing strong opposition from Beijing.
China has urged the Pacific Islands Forum to follow its “one-China principle” and says Taiwan should not participate in international organisations in a manner that suggests it is a separate country.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the issue should be handled in accordance with Beijing’s position to avoid disrupting relations between China and the Forum.
The dispute highlights the growing geopolitical pressure facing Pacific countries, which are increasingly being courted by China, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and other major powers.
Last year, Solomon Islands excluded Taiwan, China, the United States and other PIF dialogue partners from the 2025 Forum in Honiara amid a dispute over Taiwan’s participation.
The decision came after Solomon Islands had switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019.
This year, host Palau has taken a different approach.
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has said the country wanted to follow the Forum’s established rules and allow partners to participate. Palau is one of Taiwan’s three remaining Pacific diplomatic allies.
Taiwan’s participation is expected to be closely watched as Pacific leaders seek to maintain regional unity while managing increasingly intense competition between China and Western countries.
The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will be held in Koror, Palau, from 30 August to 4 September under the theme “B.E.L.A.U – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity.”
Leaders are expected to discuss the future direction of the Pacific region, including progress on the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, climate change, regional governance and the Forum’s relationships with external partners.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale left Solomon Islands yesterday for Palau.
Wale is expected to formally hand over the chairmanship to President Whipps, marking the end of Solomon Islands’ term as Forum chair.
Wale is also expected to address the Leaders Meeting and acknowledge Solomon Islands’ tenure, including the leadership of his predecessor, former Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The change of chair comes at a sensitive time for the Forum, with Pacific leaders under growing pressure to maintain a united regional voice while navigating competing interests among major powers
