On Monday, August 26, the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) kicked off its 5-day summit in the capital of Tonga, Nuku’alofa. The United States is stepping up efforts to strengthen its partnerships in the region to contain China’s expanding ambitions in this strategically important area.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell represented the United States at the Pacific Islands Forum summit, where he has played a key role in Washington’s efforts to curb China’s ambitions in the Pacific.
This year’s PIF will address the “multiple crises” facing the Pacific region, considered as the “backyard” of the United States, while China continues its gradual expansion in the area.
In February this year, Chinese police were seen operating in the remote atoll nation of Kiribati near Hawaii. Subsequently, the US warned Pacific island nations against accepting “assistance” from Chinese security forces.
According to a statement from the US State Department, Campbell will discuss the US Pacific partnership strategy initiated in 2022 with Pacific island leaders during the summit. In the previous forum, the US strengthened its influence in the region through providing financial aid, increasing investments and trade, signing bilateral agreements, and reopening embassies in Kiribati, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands.
The Pacific Islands are also a region where China continues its efforts to diminish the number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Taiwan currently has 12 official diplomatic allies, including three Pacific Island nations – Palau, Tuvalu, and the Marshall Islands.
According to reports cited by Taiwanese media quoting The Australian, the Solomon Islands raised concerns about Taiwan’s participation in the Pacific Island Forum’s Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Suva, Fiji on August 9 and planned to propose a motion this week questioning Taiwan’s involvement.
Taiwan has participated in the forum and related activities under the name “Republic of China (Taiwan)” as a “development partner” since 1993.
A source familiar with Pacific island diplomatic affairs, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the Solomon Islands are acting according to clear instructions from Beijing to block Taiwan’s participation in next year’s forum in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
The source mentioned that Chinese authorities are lobbying all member countries to support this motion, but it may be seen as a threat to the unity of the Pacific islands and may not receive approval.
The Solomon Islands, located just 1600 kilometers northeast of Australia, holds significant strategic importance. Since 2022, Chinese police have been deployed to the country, raising concerns from the United States and Australia about regional security. They criticized the Solomon Islands for a secret security agreement with China that is undermining the stability of the region.
A spokesperson from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade emphasized the Australian government’s commitment to ongoing cooperation with all development partners in the Pacific region, including Taiwan.
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday, August 25, that Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Tseng led a delegation to Tonga to participate in the forum activities and interact with Pacific allies during the summit.