China warns of “consequences” over Taiwan’s attendance at Pacific leaders meeting

China’s warning over Taiwan’s appearance at a Pacific leaders meeting has put the island’s contested diplomatic status back in the spotlight. Taiwan attended the opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau on Monday, despite Beijing’s objections.

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There will always be consequences.

Qian Bo, China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, said there would “always be consequences” but added that the statement was not a threat. He did not explain what action China might take. Qian called Taiwan’s presence inappropriate and said it was opposed by all.

Palau, an archipelago of more than 500 islands, maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung was invited to meetings and side events held alongside the forum. Taiwan is a development partner, rather than a formal dialogue partner, while China, the United States and Japan hold dialogue-partner status.

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It's not a threat.

China has gradually reduced the number of Pacific island countries that maintain formal relations with Taipei. Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands are the only three that remain. Leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Kiribati did not attend the 18-member gathering, which includes Australia and New Zealand.

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Highly suspicious

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was “highly suspicious” of the number of absent leaders. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said leaders made their own travel decisions and could have a range of reasons for staying away. Australia and the United States remain concerned about China’s expanding Pacific influence, even as China remains Australia’s largest trading partner.

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Australia's view is this is a very important forum. And I know Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese), who has arrived, is looking forward to engaging with his counterparts.