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

China’s warning over Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum added tension to a meeting intended to project unity among Pacific countries.

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There will always be consequences

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung was invited to meetings and side events held alongside the forum in Palau, which maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Taiwan is not a formal dialogue partner of the 18-member group, unlike China, but it holds development-partner status. The United States and Japan are dialogue partners.

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It’s not a threat

Qian Bo, China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, said Taiwan’s attendance was unacceptable. “There will always be consequences,” he told reporters, while adding, “It’s not a threat.” He did not specify what consequences China might impose. Qian said the move had been opposed by all and called it inappropriate. Taipei had not immediately commented.

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highly suspicious

The meeting also drew attention because the leaders of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Kiribati did not attend. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was “highly suspicious” of the number of absences, while Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said leaders had their own reasons for deciding whether to travel. China has reduced the number of Pacific island countries maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan to Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands. Australia and the United States remain concerned about Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific, while Canberra pursues security agreements with island nations.

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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