This week, the annual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum concluded. Leaders attending the forum expressed concern over China conducting intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests in the Pacific, urging all countries engaging in such tests to provide at least 24 hours advance notice.
Earlier in July, China test-fired an ICBM capable of carrying a nuclear warhead in the Pacific, marking the first such launch in the region since September 2024.
Palau, the host of the summit, President Surangel Whipps Jr. reiterated during the closing press conference on Thursday (September 3) that when China conducted the ICBM test in July, the missile flew over several Pacific island nations without sufficient prior notification. Palau had previously urged the regional grouping of 18 members to collectively condemn this missile test.
Whipps Jr. read out the communiqué at the press conference, stating, “Leaders call on all countries conducting intercontinental ballistic missile tests to ensure transparency and reassure all parties, including providing advance notice at least 24 hours before the test, in accordance with international norms.”
He added, “I would like to point out that the Republic of Nauru objects to this.”
Nauru severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 2024 and restored diplomatic relations with Beijing. Palau is one of the three countries in the Pacific region that currently maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen stated on Friday (September 4) that the vast majority of Pacific countries expressed a common position, and differing views among individual countries are “entirely reasonable.”
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Bowen said, “It is quite clear that representing a very strong view on behalf of the vast majority of Pacific island nations does not require unanimous agreement from all countries.”
Apart from the missile issue, China’s objection to Taiwan’s participation in the summit also became a major controversy of this forum. Beijing has claimed that Taiwan is not qualified to attend and had warned of “consequences” if Taiwan participated.
On Friday, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu in Taipei stated that China’s words and actions at the summit were unwelcome and criticized its adoption of “wolf warrior diplomacy.”
He said, “China’s ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’ is actually very likely to undermine unity in the Pacific region, and is quite repulsive and unwelcome.” Wu pointed out that both Taiwan and China were invited guests at the summit, and Beijing did not respect the host’s wishes by attempting to assert dominance.
He stated, “Such threatening language and actions—claiming there will be ‘serious consequences,’ and even further declaring Palau as an ‘unsafe travel destination’—are extremely absurd and ironic for Pacific countries.”
These remarks refer to the travel advisory issued by Chinese authorities against Palau last month. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Wu also accused Chinese personnel of engaging in surveillance and espionage activities during the summit.
He said, “We have seen Chinese personnel appear in almost every location or event—essentially engaging in some form of espionage activity.”
He further stated, “In the venue, at many places I entered and exited, there were plainclothes and security personnel sent by the Chinese Communist Party. Therefore, we are very grateful that Palau has specially enhanced security measures.”
Wu expressed his belief that Taiwan will continue to participate in the Pacific Island Forum and strive for more support.
“I believe that the more aggressively and domineeringly China exposes its aggression and bullying nature in the Pacific region, the more it will prompt more people to support Taiwan,” he said.
The meeting was also impacted by the absence of five Pacific island leaders, who sent lower-ranking ministers in their place. The next Pacific Islands Forum summit is scheduled to be hosted by New Zealand in 2027.