Taiwan was barred from last year’s forum meeting after objections from Beijing, which claims the self-governed island as part of its territory.
Customers work at AGI Bar in Beijing’s in Zhongguancun district. Artificial intelligence users are shopping around as US giants face fierce competition from Chinese rivals — and in Beijing’s tech district, drinkers at an AI-themed bar can even plug in to DeepSeek for free.
PEDRO PARDO/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
BEIJING (AFP) — China warned a top Pacific Islands diplomat Tuesday against allowing Taiwan’s participation in an annual regional leaders’ meeting to harm ties with Beijing.
“China urges the Pacific Islands Forum secretary to strictly adhere to the one-China principle, properly handle Taiwan-related issues and avoid affecting the healthy and stable development of ties between China and the Forum,” China’s Foreign Ministry said.
Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa said Friday that Taiwan would attend this year’s meeting in Palau from 30 August to 4 September.
Taiwan was barred from last year’s forum meeting after objections from Beijing, which claims the self-governed island as part of its territory.
China opposes Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and official exchanges with other countries.
Nauru, Kiribati and Solomon Islands have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing since 2019. Solomon Islands also blocked Taiwan’s participation when it hosted the forum last year.
That decision led to all external countries being excluded from the meeting, despite Pacific island nations’ reliance on foreign aid and investment.
“Taiwan is a very important development partner. It is not a dialogue partner, however it engages with members of our forum family,” Waqa said last week.
Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands are among the forum members that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
