TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Tuesday criticized China’s harassment at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Palau after a Chinese official protested Taiwan’s attendance.
China's special envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo, warned there would be “consequences” for Taiwan’s participation in the PIF.
In response, Lin said there was no reason to give in to pressure from China and said that only the 18 PIF member states can make decisions, Nikkei Asia reported.
Lin said that Taiwan has supported the Pacific region through its strengths in digital technology, healthcare, and smart agriculture. Last year, Taiwan pledged NT$90 million (US$3 million) to the Pacific Resilience Facility, a regional climate and disaster fund aimed at addressing the needs of Pacific communities.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Lin said, “Taiwan believes that the more united and cooperative the Pacific is, the greater its ability to shape its own future.” He said he was honored to lead the country's delegation at the annual forum as a development partner.
He vowed that Taiwan would continue to be a “reliable and responsible partner” to maintain regional peace and prosperity.
PIF aims to address common regional challenges and facilitate multilateral cooperation. Taiwan has participated in forum activities since 1993 as a development partner. It maintains diplomatic relations with three PIF members: Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu.
