Key facts
- The Pacific Island Forum began in Palau with at least five heads of government absent.
- The summit is being held amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan.
- China has criticized Palau's inclusion of Taiwan in the forum.
- The U.S. has accused China of attempting to coerce Palau through tourism advisories.
- Key leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati were not present.
The annual Pacific Island Forum commenced in Palau on Monday, with at least five heads of government absent from the proceedings. The summit, hosted by Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. under the theme "B.E.L.A.U. — Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity.," is taking place amidst significant geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan.
Leaders from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Kiribati were not in attendance, with their countries represented by ministers or senior officials. China has voiced objections to Taiwan's participation in the forum, questioning its qualifications and issuing a travel advisory deeming Palau "unsafe" for tourists. The U.S. embassy in Palau condemned these actions as an attempt to "weaponize tourism to coerce Palau."
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale had to leave the summit early to address a no-confidence motion in his home country. Kiribati President Taneti Maamau's absence was attributed to parliamentary sessions and limited flight availability.
Dialogue partners including the U.S., China, Japan, and Singapore are participating. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and China’s Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs Qian Bo are among the expected attendees. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters stressed the desire for tangible outcomes from the forum, highlighting oil supply disruptions as a pressing regional concern and foreshadowing potential relief measures. Regional security, including a collective response to a Chinese missile test, is also on the agenda, though consensus on the matter remains uncertain.