TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) removed its final communique issued Friday (Aug. 30), which reaffirmed Taiwan's participation status under the name "Taiwan/Republic of China,” after Chinese pressure.
The PIF Secretariat’s original communique included a statement in item 66 that read: “Leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China.” This drew strong criticism from Qian Bo (錢波), China's special envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported.
Qian told reporters that acknowledging Taiwan's status was "absolutely wrong" and demanded it “must be corrected.” The PIF subsequently took down the original document on Friday and removed the motion in a revised document on Saturday (Aug. 31).
The reference to Taiwan was replaced with a statement about next year's forum dates and an invitation from Papua New Guinea, per CNA. A PIF spokesperson said the revised version is the "correct" version of the communique.
The spokesperson noted that the finalized version does not impact the decisions made at the meeting. Nor does it change the “standing decisions of the Forum Leaders.”
RNZ Pacific recorded the moment Qian pressured Mark Brown, PIF chair and prime minister of the Cook Islands, to remove the Taiwan reference. Brown agreed to the request, and could be heard telling Qian: “We will remove it. I will talk to you about it later.”
Political commentators in the Pacific region believe the incident highlights China's bullying tactics and growing influence in the region, per CNA.
Alexander Teabo, Kiribati's minister for education and head of the delegation, said including Taiwan in the communique could “cause problems.” He added that while some Pacific nations affiliated with Taiwan want the nation included, Kiribati respects the one-China policy.
Other government officials expressed mixed reactions to the incident. One expressed disappointment, while another suggested it was no big deal.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said this week the US welcomed China's engagement in the Pacific but expressed concerns about Beijing's intentions and investments in the region. These included China's support for non-democratic elements and illegal fishing practices, and the potential influence of a major power exerting its influence in a peaceful area
