China Is Using a Pacific Islands Huddle to Squeeze Out Taiwan

Beijing has been upping the diplomatic ante on its 'rebel province'

- KARISHMA VASWANI

China might not be attending a key Pacific Islands gathering this week, but that is not stopping it from wielding influence to isolate Taiwan diplomatically. The annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which kicked off this week in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara, is typically a chance for the global community to engage on urgent issues the region faces, such as climate change, transnational crime, multiple health crises and tribal violence. Being dragged into a power play is a distraction.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Beijing's closest security ally in the region, announced that all partners, including the U.S., China and Taiwan, would be excluded. He claimed the decision was made in the forum's best interests.

In reality, even though China won't attend officially, Beijing can continue its campaign to diminish Taiwan's status.

China has rejected allegations that it has had a role to play in who attends. This isn't the first time partners have been excluded. But the decision highlights how the Taiwan issue is slowly splintering the group.

Over the last few years, Beijing has made significant progress in getting Pacific Island nations to switch loyalties. From six diplomatic alliances in the region back in 2019, Taiwan now only has three left: The Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau and Tuvalu.