KOROR, Palau — China on Tuesday objected to Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum, saying Taipei is not qualified to take part, after Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended opening events in host Palau, which recognizes Taipei.
Special envoy Qian Bo told reporters the Taiwanese officials’ presence was “very inappropriate.” Asked if there would be consequences, he said there would “always be consequences,” while denying the remark was a threat. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Taiwan is neither a dialogue partner nor a development partner of the Forum and is “in no position” to join the week’s activities.
Lin rejected that framing. “If we go to a party, we always follow the directions of the host,” he said in Koror. “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.” Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told partners they were “welcome to sail with us but they do not choose our destination.”
Australia’s Anthony Albanese and New Zealand’s Winston Peters said the Pacific bloc sets its own guest list. Several heads of government remain absent, including the prime ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands and Kiribati’s president. The leaders’ retreat is Thursday; the week runs through Friday. Track it on the Watch page.
The Associated Press reported the exchange from Koror.
Sources: The Associated Press; Reuters.
