The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leader’s Forum issued a communique on Friday reiterating their 1992 decision that Taiwan’s participation status, under the name “Taiwan/Republic of China,” remains unchanged.
China, through the Solomon Islands, previously sought to block Taiwan’s participation in the 53rd PIF, held on August 26 in the Kingdom of Tonga and including member countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan’s Pacific allies among others. However, the PIF also allows associate members, observers, and dialogue partners such as Japan, the United States, Canada, and the EU.
The PIF is one of the most important international organizations in the Pacific region in which Taiwan has participated as a “Development Partner” under the name “Taiwan/Republic of China” since 1993. Taiwan’s status was established based on a 1992 PIF Leaders’ Communique and was reaffirmed in 1999 and 2010.
However, Australian media revealed that China instigated the Solomon Islands to push for the removal of Taiwan’s development partner status in the PIF, though since forum resolutions are decided by consensus, a single country would have difficulty influencing a resolution alone. Members New Zealand and Australia expressed support for Taiwan’s unchanged status. The Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade Department also stated its support for the arrangements established in 1992, and attached great importance to continued cooperation with development partners in the Pacific region– Taiwan included.
The importance of the Pacific Island countries in PIF is manifold: key geographical locations, importance to maritime trade routes, telecommunications infrastructure, and vital resources, all make it a key area for international security, and economic interests pursued by major powers.