China has warned of "consequences" for Taiwan after officials from both Beijing and Taipei attended a ceremonial event at a Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau. The presence of Taiwanese officials at the summit drew sharp criticism from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province.
Palau, a nation in the western Pacific with close ties to the U.S., is one of 11 countries and the Vatican that recognize Taiwan. Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. hosted joint events with Taiwan's representative, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and seated the envoys from Beijing and Taipei in the same row at the opening ceremony.
Following the event, China's representative, Pacific Envoy Qian Bo, described the presence of Taiwanese officials as "very inappropriate." When asked if there would be consequences for Taiwan, Qian stated there would "always be consequences," though he denied the remarks were a threat and did not offer further details. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun asserted that Taiwan is not a dialogue or development partner of the forum and therefore has no standing to participate.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin rejected China's criticism, accusing Beijing of creating division in the region. "If we go to a party, we always follow the directions of the host," Lin said. "However, whenever China goes to a party, it makes itself as if it's the host and China ruins the whole atmosphere of the party."
The Pacific Islands Forum, comprising 18 member states and territories, does not include China, the United States, or Taiwan. However, the summit has become a focal point for the intensifying competition for influence between China and the U.S., as well as Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand, over the region's strategically important locations and lucrative oceans.
President Whipps urged major powers to allow the forum's member states to direct the summit's agenda. "Our partners are welcome to sail with us but they do not choose our destination," Whipps stated. "The Pacific agenda must be driven by us and for us."
Non-member countries participate as partners, with China holding dialogue partner status and Taiwan registered as a development partner. Taiwan's attendance at such summits has previously angered China, leading to partner countries being barred from the previous year's meeting in the Solomon Islands.
Analysts have speculated that Beijing's diplomatic pressure may have contributed to the absence of some Pacific leaders from this year's summit, although those present have downplayed concerns about representation. The leaders of the Pacific nations often aim to focus discussions on pressing issues such as the impacts of climate change and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which have strained their economies and reliance on foreign aid and imports.