The United States State Department’s Assistant Secretary, Matt Murray, expressed strong support for Taiwan’s continued participation in the Pacific Island Forum and raised concerns about China’s malicious actions in the Pacific region at a press conference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) responded positively to this statement on the 16th, with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, expressing affirmation and the expectation of jointly responding to the development needs of the Pacific region to demonstrate a shared determination to enhance regional resilience.
Murray, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Affairs at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, attended an online press conference on the 15th, Eastern Time, to discuss the U.S.’s participation in this year’s Pacific Island Forum (PIF) outcomes. He specifically mentioned Taiwan’s collaboration with the United States and other like-minded countries to ensure that every PIF member country is connected to a reliable submarine cable network.
When asked if the U.S. will continue to support and ensure Taiwan’s participation in the PIF, Murray stated that the U.S. strongly supports Taiwan’s continued engagement in the PIF and that Taiwan has been a development partner of the PIF since 1992. The U.S. considers Taiwan a reliable, like-minded, and democratic partner, noting Taiwan’s significant contributions to the prosperity and economic development of the Pacific region. The U.S. also encourages the PIF to continue following established precedents.
Regarding China’s role in the region, Murray pointed out the U.S.’s concerns about China’s malicious actions in the Pacific region and its behavior towards Taiwan within the PIF. The U.S. continues to oppose China’s attempts to pressure countries to sever or downgrade diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as well as its opposition to Taiwan’s participation in the PIF. Taiwan has been attending the PIF as a development partner for many years.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China responded to questions from Central News Agency reporters this afternoon, stating that Minister Joseph Wu reiterates Taiwan’s firm position and welcomes the U.S. State Department’s reaffirmation of support for Taiwan. The Ministry looks forward to strengthening concrete cooperation with the United States and other partners in Palau and third countries, jointly responding to the development needs of the Pacific region, and demonstrating a shared determination to enhance regional resilience.
Wu mentioned that Taiwan’s delegation attending the PIF-related activities engaged in extensive exchanges and deepened cooperation with representatives from Pacific allies and like-minded countries, showcasing Taiwan’s technological strength and the concrete achievements of its economic diplomacy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to integrate government interdepartmental, industry, and private resources through “comprehensive diplomacy” to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region, and even globally, in collaboration with the United States and like-minded countries.