He said: “This kind of Chinese ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy actually easily undermines Pacific unity, and it is quite off-putting and disliked.”
The term “wolf warrior”, from a Chinese action film of the same name, has been used by academics and politicians to describe China’s shift towards a more combative public tone.
The PIF brings together 18 member nations to discuss regional issues and goals. Taiwan and China have sent representatives for decades, despite China’s efforts to block Taiwan, which has diplomatic ties with three Pacific island nations.
Chinese opposition to Taiwan’s involvement in the meeting has dominated the forum, which was already controversial because several regional leaders, including those from the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu, had decided not to attend.
Chinese warn of theft and robbery
Last month, China issued a travel advisory for Palau, which is generally known as a safe destination with low crime, claiming that nationals should exercise extra caution because of theft and robbery.
The US state department accused China of attempting to “weaponise tourism to coerce Palau”. China’s position and rhetoric on the issue then continued at the forum, which began on Monday.
On the first day, Qian Bo, China’s special envoy for Pacific island affairs, said “there will always be consequences when Taiwan attends the meeting”, but clarified that this was “not a threat”.
He told reporters: “This is objected to by all, so this should not have happened. We think it’s very inappropriate to do so.”
Mr Lin said China’s comments and its earlier travel advisory had been “extremely absurd and ironic”.
