TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China's special envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo, on Tuesday protested Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's (林佳龍) presence at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau.
Bo told reporters that Beijing had "serious concerns" about Taiwan’s participation in the forum, which kicked off Monday, per ABC. "There will always be consequences … this should not have happened. We think it's very inappropriate,” he said.
"We have made our position very clear to the government of Palau and the secretariat," Bo added.
Lin arrived in Palau on Thursday and has met with Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. Speaking at the Pacific Prosperity Exhibit on Friday, Lin said Taiwan is willing to continue sharing its development experience and work with like-minded partners to address the practical needs of Pacific nations through mutually beneficial cooperation.
He added that the Taiwan government is bringing together resources from government agencies, industry, and civil society through its Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.
Taiwan has participated in PIF activities since 1993 as a development partner. It maintains diplomatic relations with three PIF members: Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu.
Whipps defended Palau’s ties with Taiwan in June, saying, "You cannot tell me that I cannot recognize Taiwan. That's our sovereign choice as a country," per Kyodo News. Beijing has tried many times to use economic offers to convince Palau to drop Taiwan, but he said only Palau has the right to decide its diplomatic ties, not larger countries.
Small island countries should be allowed to choose who they work with, the president said.
Whipps also said that Chinese ships were conducting research and surveys in Palau’s waters without approval, and Palauan officials have evidence that equipment has been set up there, per Kyodo News. These types of activities violate international law and harm sustainable ocean management, he said, adding that Palau continues to support a rules-based “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
In 2024, Whipps revealed that China has weaponized tourism to suppress Palau’s tourism industry and force it to switch diplomatic recognition. China’s Consular Service issued a notice last month warning Chinese travelers to “exercise caution” when visiting Palau.
“In recent years, multiple cases of theft and robbery targeting tourists have occurred in Palau, with victims suffering significant losses,” the notice said. It also claimed that Palau’s search-and-rescue capabilities and medical resources are limited and that Chinese tourists frequently experience accidents in the country.
