Taiwan's vice foreign minister to attend Pacific Islands Forum By Reuters
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan's deputy foreign minister will attend this week's meeting of Pacific Island leaders in Tonga, Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Sunday, as China and the United States jockey for power in the region.
The Pacific is also an area of competition between Taipei and Beijing, as China disputes a number of countries that maintain formal relations with the so-called Taiwan. Three countries – Palau, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands – cling to Taiwan.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang will hold a conference with its three Pacific partners to strengthen their relations with other “like-minded countries”, referring to Western democracies such as the United States and Australia.
In January, shortly after Lai Ching-te was elected as Taiwan's new president, Nauru switched ties from Taipei to Beijing, in what the Taiwanese government says is part of China's ongoing pressure campaign.
In 2018, Nauru, then an ally of Taiwan, blasted China for “contemptuous” remarks at the Pacific Islands Forum. Nauru had seen China before, between 2002 and 2005.
Taiwan has participated in this forum since 1993 as a development partner under the name “Taiwan/Republic of China”. The Republic of China is the official name of Taiwan.
China claims that democratic Taiwan is one of its non-aligned states, a position strongly disputed by the government in Taipei.
Climate change and security are expected to dominate discussions at this week's meeting of 18 Pacific Island leaders. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will also go.
Taiwan and Tonga had diplomatic relations from 1972 until 1998 when the country switched to Beijing and cut ties with Taipei.
Only 12 countries now maintain formal relations with Taiwan.
(This story has been edited to correct the spelling and capitalization of 'Islands Forum' in the title)
