Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed off China’s warning to deliver consequences of Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau.
Chinese special envoy to the Pacific Qian Bo said Beijing had “serious concerns” about the increasing involvement of Taiwan at the meeting of Pacific leaders this week, adding that it was “very inappropriate”.
Chinese special envoy to the Pacific Qian Bo speaking to reporters in Palau. 9News
“Taiwan is not a dialogue partner with the forum so we have serious concern,” he told reporters in Palau.
“We have made our position very clear to the government of Palau and the secretariat, but we have the understanding and support by our friends and the majority of the members of the Pacific Islands Forum.”
Qian warned “there will always be consequences”, but insisted it was not a threat.
He will make a statement at the official meeting between Pacific nations and 21 dialogue partners, which does not include Taiwan.
Albanese dismissed questions about growing tensions between China and Taiwan and said he was not distracted by it.
“I’m focused on members of the Pacific family and that is precisely the meetings that I have scheduled here,” he told reporters in Palau on Tuesday.
“And I think this is primarily a gathering of the Pacific family, the members of the Pacific Islands Forum. I look forward to the engagement. That’s the engagement that I’ve had.”
Albanese would not answer whether China was bullying Palau for inviting Taiwan, saying he only speaks on behalf of Australia.
The prime minister is meeting neighbouring leaders in Palau this week for the 55th annual Pacific Islands Forum to discuss climate change, energy security and regional peace.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed off China’s warning to deliver consequences of Taiwan’s presence at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. 9News
Palau, which is hosting this year’s event and is one of three nations in the Asian Pacific that recognises Taiwan, had received threats from China before the forum.
“There was threats that if Taiwan comes to the forum, there will be retaliation, which we’ve already seen in social media in China,” Palau President Surangel Whipps said.
Tensions are plaguing the forum after Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale abruptly left the forum and Kiribati President Taneti Maamau declined to attend and sent his ambassador to China in his place.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he was “highly suspicious” about whether foreign interference was behind their absences but did not specifically name China.
Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks to reporters at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Charlotte Graham-McLay
The Pacific has also been on edge after China test-fired a nuclear-capable missile just hours after Australia signed a major defence deal with Fiji in early July.
Whipps stressed that the Pacific is “not a theatre for geopolitical competition”.
Australia has been in a permanent contest with China for influence in the Pacific and has this year signed and made progress on deals to strengthen ties with our neighbours.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the federal government has been upfront about its position about the Pacific and Taiwan.
“I think the Pacific should be able to determine its own relationships,” she told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
“Australia has a one China policy. We have diplomatic relationships with Beijing, and we maintain an economic engagement with Taiwan.
“There are Pacific Island countries who have a different position and we respect their right to make their sovereign decisions.”
