A recent summit of the Pacific Islands Forum in Nuku’alofa, Tonga was overshadowed by China’s influence in the region. Initially, the communiqué included a reference to Taiwan, which was later removed after China’s special envoy demanded it. This incident highlights the debate over China’s role in the region and the challenge of balancing the demands of larger countries with regional interests. The Pacific Islands Forum was established in 1971 to address regional issues, but recent attention has been focused on the geopolitical contest for influence in the Pacific. This year, leaders emphasized climate change, debt, health, and security issues, while warning major powers not to overshadow the summit with geopolitical disputes. Despite the tension, there were efforts towards cooperation, with the US and China pledging to work together in the Pacific. However, there are doubts about the credibility of this cooperation. The summit ended with a focus on health care and climate initiatives, with a new tiered structure for partner nations and a reaffirmation of Taiwan’s involvement, despite pressure from Beijing. The Solomon Islands, which switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in 2019, will host the 2025 summit. Analysts suggest developing guardrails to prevent further disruptions and maintain regional unity in the future. Taiwan condemned China’s interference in regional affairs and reaffirmed its right to participate in the forum.
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