China warns of ‘consequences’ over Taiwan’s presence at pacific forum

CHINA has warned of unspecified “consequences” over Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, escalating tensions at a regional gathering focused on Pacific unity.

Chinese special envoy for Pacific island affairs Qian Bo said Beijing had “serious concerns” about Taiwan attending the forum’s opening ceremony on Monday.

“There will always be consequences,” Qian told reporters, while stressing that “it’s not a threat”. He did not specify what action China might take.

Qian said Taiwan’s participation was opposed by all sides and described it as “very inappropriate”.

Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, attended the opening ceremony and was represented at meetings and side events by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.

“Taiwan is honoured to serve as a partner in the Pacific, continuing to stand with everyone and work together to make the Pacific more prosperous and peaceful,” Lin said.

Taiwan is a development partner of the Pacific Islands Forum but is not among its formal dialogue partners. China is one of 21 dialogue partners, alongside countries and blocs including the United States, European Union, Britain, Canada, India and Japan.

Australia rejected any suggestion that Beijing should have a say over Taiwan’s participation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Pacific Islands Forum, rather than any outside power, determined what happened at the gathering.

“The Pacific Islands Forum determines what happens here, not any other country,” Albanese said.

“This is primarily a gathering of the Pacific family ... and I look forward to the engagement,” he added.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters similarly said the regional group did not take instructions from countries outside it.

China has steadily reduced Taiwan’s diplomatic presence in the Pacific, with only Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.

The dispute comes as Australia and New Zealand, backed by the United States, remain increasingly focused on countering China’s expanding influence in the Pacific.

China is Australia’s largest trading partner, but Canberra has strengthened security and development ties with Pacific island nations amid concerns over the possibility of a permanent Chinese military presence in the region.

At this year’s forum, the leaders of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Kiribati were absent, with ministers attending in their place.

The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum brings together Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island states and serves as the region’s main platform for political and economic cooperation.

Separately, New Zealand and the United States announced they would jointly fund a major upgrade of a Second World War-era port in the Cook Islands, underscoring growing efforts by regional partners to strengthen infrastructure and strategic ties across the Pacific. - September 1, 2026