TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan will send a delegation to attend the Pacific Islands Forum in the Solomon Islands despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

The islands’ government announced on June 12 that China was donating US$1 million (NT$29.19 million) to buy 27 cars for use by the leaders at the summit, per CNA. The ministry acknowledged that the hosting by the Solomon Islands might pose a challenge, but added that Taiwan was still preparing to attend the Sept. 8-12 event and to organize the Taiwan-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue.

Taiwan has been a development partner of the forum since 1993, enabling it to participate in the group’s events and to organize the annual dialogue. The country was continuing to maintain contacts with the forum secretary through allies and countries with similar ideals about this year’s summit, Ministry Director of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Peter Lan (藍夏禮) said.

The Solomon Islands switched recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, with Taiwan’s government alleging that Beijing had used dollar diplomacy to buy off a minority of politicians.