China says it did not pressure Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to exclude Taiwan from the Pacific Islands Forum, even as Manele also barred China and the United States from related regional talks. Beijing’s stance comes as Pacific leaders react to the surprise shift, warning that the move could fracture regional unity ahead of the Honiara summit.
An unnamed Chinese Embassy spokesperson in Wellington insisted there was no coercion involved, while urging all parties to stay true to the one-China principle “in good faith” to keep the Forum focused on cooperative agendas. China renewed its position that Taiwan remains a province rather than a country, a line that has long been central to Beijing’s diplomacy in the region.
The development has rekindled concerns across the Pacific that outsiders could drive a wedge in the leaders’ discussions. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told foreign ministers that there were “outsiders” pressing to determine who should be invited, a comment that echoed broader worries about external influence as the Forum seeks to address shared challenges such as climate resilience and economic development.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele has faced substantial domestic and international pressure over his government’s move to push Taiwan’s attendance out of the forum, a policy shift tied to the Solomon Islands’ 2019 decision to recognize Beijing over Taipei. Critics from within the region have warned that excluding Taiwan risks undermining the Forum’s legitimacy and the very spirit of regional cooperation known as the “Pacific Way.”
Pacific voices calling for unity insist that Taiwan’s inclusion is part of established regional practice and has supported robust dialogue since the Forum’s inception in 1992. Leaders including Samoa’s and Palau’s presidents, as well as the Marshall Islands, have argued that the Forum must remain inclusive to effectively tackle climate change, development, and regional security.
Beyond the visas and guest lists, several articles have noted that donor partners and traditional development allies have faced movement in how they participate, with some discussions suggesting that excluding key partners could complicate climate finance and regional cooperation. Still, many leaders remain hopeful that a principled, Pacific-led path can be found that preserves sovereignty while maintaining constructive engagement with all partners.
As the Summit in Honiara approaches, observers say the test will be whether Pacific nations can uphold the Forum’s core values of consensus and mutual respect while balancing the realities of shifting great-power dynamics. If leaders can keep channels open and focus on tangible regional outcomes, the Forum could emerge stronger and more resilient in addressing climate resilience, sustainable development, and security.
Additional context and value-added notes:
– The tension reflects a broader shift in the Pacific toward navigating China’s growing influence while trying to preserve long-standing multilateral norms.
– Taiwan’s role remains a live issue with significant symbolic and practical implications for regional diplomacy.
– Observers emphasize that the “Pacific Way”—emphasizing dialogue, consensus, and shared leadership—needs reinvigoration to withstand external pressures and maintain momentum on regional projects.
Possible outlook:
– A careful, inclusive approach that centers regional priorities could help restore trust and keep the Forum as the central hub for Pacific cooperation.
– Continued emphasis on climate resilience and sustainable development can anchor a constructive path forward, even amid geopolitical sensitivities.
Overall, the moment tests Pacific unity and the balance between sovereignty and regional solidarity. If leaders succeed in keeping dialogue open and centers of cooperation intact, the Forum could reaffirm its legitimacy and advance shared goals in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Fijian summary:
Na iVakadewa qo e balavu kina na rai ni veitabaki ena vanua ni Pacifika me baleta na Vuli Ni Dialog 2025. Na Solomon Islands e tukuna ni nodra vakatikora na Taiwan mai na Forum e sega ni vakarau yetavi tu kina, ia na matanitu e vuki tale ki na veidokodokoca me kua ni la’ki vakatabui. E kerea na matapa lailai ni veinanumi me rawa ni wili kina na veitikotiko kei na veivakadonu me rawa ni veivakadonaki na veiqaravi e vuravura. E vakaraitaka tale ga ni tudei na iVolavola ni One China, oya na icakacaka ni Beijing. Ia na turaga ni vanua e sota ki na vakatulewa ni veibuli kei na lewe ni Pacifika me ra doka na Kalou e liu na noda vanua, ka vakataka na “Pacific Way” me tiko tiko na veika e rawa keitou veivakavinaka ki na kena yalovinaka kei na noda veivulagi. Na veitokoni mai vei Solomon, Palau, Samoa, Marshall Islands kei na so tale e vakavakaraitaki tiko me ra qai veilakovi lesu na veivakadonui ni kena tuva. E sa na qai kilai na qaqa ni veisau ni veika me baleta na veivakararamataki ni vanua, ka sa vakaraitaki e na veika ni vakatulewa ni mai curu ki Honiara me toso ki mua na noda cakacaka ena vica na yabaki.
Note: The Fijian summary above aims to capture the central points in simple terms for a Fijian-speaking audience, reflecting the same themes of sovereignty, regional unity, and the ongoing Taiwan participation discussion.
Leave a comment